Sex offender gets 40 years

A registered sex offender was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for attempting to rape a 66-year-old Huntington Beach woman after breaking into her home.

Costa Mesa resident Tracy William Barton, 54, was sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison Friday for first-degree burglary, aggravated assault, sexual battery by restraint and assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense during a burglary. Barton was slapped with sentencing enhancements for prior felony sex convictions and being a “habitual sex offender,” according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Barton was convicted of rape, kidnapping and forcible oral copulation in 1991 and five counts of vehicle theft.

Barton knocked on the door of the 66-year-old Huntington Beach victim’s house and forced his way inside when she answered the door at around 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008. The woman was knocked to the ground, and Barton smashed her head into something hard and hit her in the face before dragging her screaming up her stairs to her bedroom.

While the woman was on the floor, Barton bound her wrists and ankles with her own stockings from her lingerie drawer and starting taking off her clothing.

A neighbor heard the woman scream and called 911, and the Huntington Beach Police Department arrived before the women was sexually assaulted. Barton tried to flee the scene, but officers caught up to him.

Police found undergarments and leggings from another woman in Barton’s car and believe more victims could be out there. Anyone with information is asked to contact Huntington Beach Detective Cathy Meza at (714) 536-5970.

— Britney Barnes