Criminal Sexual Abuse on the Rise in Chicago

Sex crimes involving women and children have dominated Chicago headlines in 2013. From the track and triathlon trainer accused of sexually molesting a 16-year-old boy over a two-year period to the 81-year-old dentist charged with fondling a young girl in his office, Chicago newspapers abound in shocking examples such as the ones above.

According to statistics, the population of registered sex offenders has significantly increased in recent years, and the numbers just keep growing. A 2012 report by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children found that the number of sex offenders increased by 23.2 percent, with an additional 7,555 sex offenders reported since the previous survey performed in 2011. Targeted victims are usually teenagers between the ages 12 and 17, while teens aged 16 to 19 are 3 and a half times more likely than other age groups to be sexually assaulted or abused.

Recent Local Events

Last year was a busy year for the Chicago police when, despite heavy law enforcement resources used, there were almost 1,000 sex crimes reported between 2012 and 2013. Here are some of the most recent high-profile incidents covered by mass media:

• Allen Hall, a 19-year police veteran working in the 14th District police station in Chicago, has been arrested last month after being charged with molesting a minor and attacking the victim’s 3-year-old daughter. A third victim of Hall’s pressed charges in 2011, but no investigation was initiated since the incident occurred between 1986 and 1992, exceeding the statute of limitations.
• Kristin Miks, a former bus driver for the Woodland School District in Gurnee, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl and faces a sentence of up to 36 months of felony probation. She will also be required to pay a heavy fine and undergo sex offender treatment.
• Julius Anderson, 63, a serial rapist who has already served 30 years in prison for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and attempted home invasion, was found guilty of sexually assaulting three women shortly after his release and sentenced to another 75 years in jail. Despite the fact that Anderson suffered from chronic schizophrenia and had more than 100 disciplinary violations during his time in prison, he was paroled in June, 2009.
• Kenneth Martin, 34, who worked as a music teacher at a Christian school in Palos Heights, has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse for engaging ininappropriate relationship with one of his students, underage at the time. The Palos Heights police believe Martin had sexually abused another former student as well, but the victim is unwilling to cooperate.

In the state of Illinois, criminal sexual abuse is a Class A misdemeanor, but it becomes a Class 2 felony for offenders with second or subsequent convictions. Punishments range from minimum 3 years in jail to maximum seven and are often accompanied by heavy fines and community service.

If you have been accused of sex crime offenses of any kind, you should immediately retain the services of an aggressive and experienced sex crime lawyer, who has been successful in defending clients facing similar charges. From minor offenses such as public indecency to the most severe, including aggravated criminal sexual assault and predatory criminal assault of a child, sex crimes are difficult to handle, and you must have the assurance that your case will be managed with professionalism and complete discretion. Contact Mr. Weisberg on his cell phone 24/7 at 773-908-9811 or text ‘LAWYER’ to 25827 to receive a call back.

About the Author Andrew M. Weisberg is a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Illinois. A former prosecutor in Cook County, Mr. Weisbergis a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar, an elite group of criminal attorneys who are certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to try death penalty cases. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. Mr. Weisberg is a sole practitioner at the Law Offices of Andrew M. Weisberg.