An Aurora man and his two sisters were found guilty of assaulting a police officer after a routine traffic stop in June 2021.
Paul Sherrod Taylor and his sisters Jennifer and Sheba Taylor were convicted of the following crimes by Judge Alice Tracy after a bench trial:
Paul Sherrod Taylor, 32, was found guilty by Judge Alice Tracy of the following offenses:
- Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, Class 2 felony
- Threatening a Public Official, Class 3 Felony
- Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, Class 4 Felony
- Resisting a Peace Officer, Class A Misdemeanor
Sheba A. Taylor, 29, was found guilty by a jury of the following offenses:
- Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, Class 2 felony (2 counts)
- Aggravated Battery on a Public Way Causing Bodily Harm, Class 3 felony
- Resisting a Peace Officer Causing Injury, Class 4 felony
Jennifer M. Taylor, 26, was found guilty by a jury of the following offenses:
- Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, Class 2 felony (2 counts)
- Aggravated Battery on a Public Way, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
- Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, Class 4 felony
Just after 10:30 p.m. on June 21, 2021, an Aurora Police officer performed a traffic stop on a car that rolled through a stop sign near the intersection of Plum Street and Randall Road. The vehicle pulled into a driveway in the 600 block of North Elmwood Drive, and the driver, Paul Taylor, began yelling obscenities out the window. The officer also observed two other passengers, Sheba and Jennifer Taylor, in the vehicle.
Moments later, Sheba Taylor exited the vehicle. The officer ordered her back into the car several times before informing her that she was under arrest for obstruction. Paul Taylor then also exited the vehicle, continuing to yell obscenities, and started approaching the officer at the rear of the car. He told the officer that he would fight him if he touched the sister.
The officer informed Paul Taylor that he was also under arrest for obstruction. At that moment, Paul Taylor took off running, with the officer in pursuit. The two sisters also followed the officer yelling obscenities. When Sheba Taylor approached the officer as they ran, the officer turned around and grabbed her arm to take her into custody, but she slipped out of his grip.
The two sisters then began striking the officer with closed fists and kicking his body and head. The officer heard a male’s voice and then was struck repeatedly in the head from several angles. Sheba Taylor placed her forearm around the officer’s neck and applied significant force to his windpipe, causing him to lose the ability to breathe. A short time later, additional officers arrived and placed the subjects into custody.
Aurora Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the officer to an area hospital.
“This matter started out as a simple traffic violation and it ended in the three people being charged with serious felonies,” Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser commented. “These defendants are now all convicted felons because they would not comply with the lawful orders of Officer Miranda. They engaged in dangerous behavior that risked the life of an officer who was just doing his job. Hopefully this will teach the defendants to comply with the law or face the consequences of the legal system.”
Judge Tracy set Paul Taylor’s next court appearance for March 25, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 113 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing. He faces a sentence of between three and seven years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections but is eligible for probation. He remains out on bail until sentencing.
Judge Tegeler set Jennifer and Sheba Taylor’s next court appearance for April 19, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 313 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing. The Taylor sisters also face sentences between three and seven years imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections but are eligible for probation. Jennifer and Sheba Taylor both remain out on bail until sentencing.
