Norfolk man, 71, with 1992 rape convictions and 2023 child-rape conviction granted parole

The Virginia Parole Board has granted parole to Clarence Eugene Billups, who was convicted of rape, including the 2023 rape of a child under 13 in Norfolk, according to the board's September 2026 decisions report.

The board's September report lists Billups, 71, as granted under dual eligibility, with a decision date of Sept. 11 and certification on Sept. 14. His record shows two rape convictions in Norfolk Circuit Court dated June 18, 1992, each carrying 35 years with 10 suspended; a Parole Board violation entry dated March 21, 2023, carrying 23 years, 5 months and 29 days; and a Norfolk Circuit Court conviction dated April 14, 2023, for rape of a victim under 13, with a 10-year sentence and 9 years and 9 months suspended. The report estimates his total time served at 29 years, 6 months and 6 days. The minutes say he was considered for discretionary parole and geriatric conditional release.

The Washington Examiner reported Oct. 7 that parole records show Billups "was convicted in 2023 of raping the child while out on parole for two prior rape convictions." This newsroom found no contemporaneous news coverage of the underlying offenses, and the board record does not give the date of the 2023 offense. In keeping with this newsroom's policy, no victim is identified.

Prior and repeat offenses: The record shows two 1992 rape convictions, a 2023 parole violation and the 2023 child-rape conviction. In September 2023, the board under Gov. Glenn Youngkin denied Billups discretionary parole, saying, "Your prior failure(s) and/or convictions while under community supervision indicate that you are unlikely to comply with conditions of release," according to that month's decisions report.

The board's stated reasons: The board's listed reasons were no victim opposition, demonstrated rehabilitation, a medical condition, release being compatible with public safety, clear acceptance of responsibility, excellent institutional adjustment, a stable release plan, correctional and vocational programming, a low risk-assessment score, a "severe long-term disability that limits daily functioning" and infraction-free conduct since incarceration.

The Sept. 10 minutes record a 4-0 vote. The board's Victim Services team said "the two victims are okay with his release" but asked that Billups stay away from them and their families. Vice Chair Kecia Brothers Hayes said the prosecuting attorney supports release. Board Member Valerie Boykin and Chair Shannon Dion each said they concluded that "three years is enough time to serve on a technical violation." The minutes do not explain why the members described the violation as technical when the record lists a 2023 conviction.

How the decision was made: At the Sept. 10 meeting, held in person and electronically at the board's offices on Atmore Drive in Richmond, each candidate addressed the board by teleconference after a summary of victim input, and Chair Shannon Dion then called on each member to vote and state reasons, according to the minutes, which the board approved on Oct. 1. The September report notes that the offenses it lists include all offenses for which a person has been serving time, whether or not they are parole-eligible.

Crime trends in Norfolk: According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services report "Virginia Index Crime and Drug Arrest Trends 2016-2025," published in August 2026 using Virginia State Police crime repository data, Norfolk recorded 389.7 violent index crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, compared with 671.7 in 2016, down 42% over the decade. Its property crime rate was 3,050.6 per 100,000 in 2025, compared with 4,011.4 in 2016, down 24%. Statewide, DCJS reported 210.5 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, down 7% from 2024 and 14% from 2023; the median rate among Virginia's counties and independent cities was 172.9. DCJS notes that the repository receives rolling updates, so the rates may be revised.

Across September, the board decided 85 parole cases and granted 7, according to its monthly decisions report, a grant rate of about 8.2% for the month, down from about 32% (14 of 44) in August. It denied the other 78. Separately, it decided four parole-violation cases, revoking parole in two, continuing parole in one and discharging one person from supervision. All seven grants were voted on at the board's Sept. 10 meeting, with four members present; Board Member Kevin White was absent, according to the approved minutes. All five current board members were appointed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on March 4, 2026, and confirmed by the General Assembly in March.

Parole in Virginia is supervised release: the board sets conditions and can revoke parole and return a person to prison for violations, as it did in two revocation cases in September. The board's report does not give a release date or say where Billups will live.

Norfolk is an independent city in Hampton Roads.

Richmond is an independent city in the Richmond region.

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov