SARANAC LAKE — A Lake Clear man has been charged with breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a woman.

Saranac Lake police charged David M. Rascoe, 54, with second-degree burglary, with sexual motivation, a felony, as well as forcible touching and public lewdness, both misdemeanors, at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Police said Rascoe allegedly entered the residence of a female victim and “had unwanted sexual contact with her.”

SLPD Chief Darin Perrotte said the victim reported the alleged assault to the police and that Rascoe and the victim knew each other vaguely.

Perrotte said Rascoe is a convicted level 3 sex offender, the highest level in the state, with a “high risk of repeat offense and a threat to public safety.” Perrotte said since Rascoe has prior felony convictions, these latest charges can potentially carry a longer prison sentence than he had served in the past.

Rascoe was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse by forcible compulsion, a felony, in 1999, according to records from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. The victim was a 35-year-old female. He was sentenced to five years of probation.

Rascoe was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse by forcible compulsion in 2000. The victim was an 18-year-old female. He was sentenced to two to four years of state prison and was released on parole in 2003, two years and four months later.

Rascoe is currently being held in Franklin County Jail without bail, Perrotte said.

According to the state, level 3 offenders are on the sex offender registry for life, must personally verify their addresses every 90 days with law enforcement and update photos with the state annually. Rascoe currently lives on county Route 50 in Lake Clear, according to state data.

Perrotte said Rascoe is scheduled to reappear in Harrietstown Town Court on Monday.