Felon Charged With 'Heinous' West Town Sex Assault, Beating: Cops

CHICAGO — A man has been charged with beating and sexually assaulting a young woman Sunday morning in the West Town neighborhood, police said. The attack happened around 7 a.m. in the 1200 block of West Ohio, according to police.

Rufus Carson, 37, of the Austin neighborhood, has been charged with felony counts of aggravated battery causing bodily harm, aggravated criminal sexual assault causing bodily harm and aggravated kidnapping causing bodily harm, police said.

Carson followed the woman from a CTA Blue Line station and pulled her into an alley, where he "viciously attacked her," police said.

The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with severe fractures in her face, police said. She remains in serious condition, authorities said.

Carson was arrested Monday around 9 p.m. in the 3800 block of West Division after he was identified using a CTA surveillance video, police said.

Carson has previous felony convictions for possessing a stolen vehicle, selling drugs and burglary, according to police.

He's scheduled to appear in bond court on Wednesday.

Photo: Rufus Carson, 37. Image via Chicago Police Department