Illinois Man Charged With Sexual Assault in Wheaton

 Posted on May 22, 2018 in Sex Crimes

A homeless Illinois man has been charged with sexual assault for an incident occurring near the Illinois Prairie Path in Wheaton. The incident occurred in the early morning on May 18 near a DuPage Pads shelter, an organization that provides housing and support services to help individuals become self-sufficient.

The Case

Wheaton Police responded to a call that someone was screaming for help around the Pads shelter in Wheaton. The police reported that when they got there, they found the victim and the woman who was screaming for help, with dirt on her face and scratches and cuts to her upper body. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office, the man approached the woman and demanded sex. When she refused, he allegedly dragged her into the woods by her hair, sexually assaulted her and then fled the scene.

The man was taken into custody on May 20 and is currently being held in the DuPage County Jail on $750,000 bond. He is being charged with one count of criminal sexual assault.

The Laws

In the State of Illinois, criminal sexual assault is classified as a Class 1 felony. A person is committing criminal sexual assault if they commit an act of sexual penetration and:

• Uses force or threat of force;
• Knows that the victim does not understand the act or is unable to consent to the act;
• Is a family member of the victim and the victim is under the age of 18; or
• Is over the age of 17 and holds a position of authority over the victim and the victim is between 13 and 18 years old.

The law defines sexual penetration as any contact between the sex organ or anus of one person and the sex organ, mouth or anus of another person, or any intrusion of any part of the body of a person into the sex organ or anus of another person.

As a Class 1 felony, criminal sexual assault is punishable by a minimum sentence of four years in prison and a maximum of 15 years. After the prison term, two years of parole are imposed. If a person is convicted of a sex crime, they will be required to register as a sex offender in Illinois.

Contact an Arlington Heights Sexual Assault Attorney

Sexual assault is a serious crime that can damage your reputation and follow you for life. If you’ve been charged with sexual assault, you need the help of a skilled Illinois sex crime attorney. Contact Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law to discuss your options and protect your future. Call 847-253-3400 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2018/05/21/homeless-man-charged-in-sexual-assault-near-prairie-path-in-wheaton/arii7mn/

https://www.dupageco.org/States_Attorney/States_Attorney_News/2018/57455/

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+11&ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=14400000&SeqEnd=21000000