After a 6-day bench trial, Sandeep Arora, 48, of Naperville was found guilty yesterday of sexually assaulting a female passenger in July 2017. In all, Arora was found guilty of two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony), two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 1 Felony), one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony.)
The verdict was handed down by Judge Michael Reidy.
On July 9, 2017, the victim left a Naperville establishment with a friend in a taxicab driven by Arora with the victim seated in the front passenger seat and the other individual seated in the back. After Arora dropped off the individual seated in the back, he drove away and then sexually assaulted the victim partially ripping off some of her clothing and leaving bruising and marks on her body.
A short time later, Arora pulled his taxicab over and assaulted the victim a second time. After the victim was able to free herself from the taxicab, she ran away, called a friend and hid in some bushes while she waited for her friend to arrive. The victim went to the Naperville Police Department the following morning to report the assault. An investigation into the matter led authorities to Arora as the man who sexually assaulted the woman.
“Once alone with his victim, Sandeep Arora violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted her and only stopped when she was able to free herself and call for help,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said. “While the memories of that horrible assault may fade with time, time cannot erase what happened as the victim in this case is now left suffering with the psychological fallout caused by Mr. Arora. I commend her for her strength and courage in bringing this matter to the police and for her assistance throughout this entire ordeal.”
Arora faces from12 to 60 years (served at 85%) in prison for his crime. His next court appearance is scheduled for June15, 2023 for sentencing.
