Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — A Roanoke Rapids man faces rape charges for allegedly assaulting a woman while she slept in a home.

Investigators with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said Wayne Wilkins, 53, committed the sexual assault at 289 Sunset Crest Lane on the night of Monday, June 9.

The victim told deputies she was woke up to find her assailant on top of her and sexually assaulting her. She was transported to the Halifax Regional Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

Deputies arrested Wilkins without incident and charged him with second-degree rape.

Wilkins was being held in the Halifax County Jail under a $50,000 bond on Friday. His first court date was set for July 30.

Wilkins has a long criminal record dating back to 1980 in Halifax, including convictions on six assault charges – including one on a female in June 2003 – common-law robbery, burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon and driving under the influence.

Since October 2003, he has served 2 years and 10 months for various probation violations.