LEONARDTOWN, Md. (April 23, 2009)—William Lornce Simmons, 55, of Park Hall, was arrested Tuesday and charged with first degree assault and first degree rape of a woman with whom he resided. The 45 year-old female victim was treated at St. Mary's Hospital for a laceration to her hand and neck, which police say occurred during the attack. Simmons was incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center.
Maryland State Police were initially called to a Park Hall residence at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday to investigate the reported rape. Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) were called and assumed the investigation.
Detectives determined that Simmons entered the victim's bedroom and awoke her. Police say the two began arguing and the victim went into another bedroom and locked the door. Simmons obtained a knife and forced his way into the room. He held the knife to the victim's throat and threatened to kill her. In an attempt to prevent further harm, the victim had sexual intercourse with the suspect. The victim agreed to drive Simmons to work and then went to a friend's residence and called police.
Detectives later located Simmons hiding in his residence, while conducting a search warrant, and he was taken into custody.