Just two days after being released from prison after completing a 41/2 year sentence for child sexual assault, a Chicago man raped a young woman in his mother’s house in Aurora.
On August 20, 2021, the victim gave 40-year-old Joseph E. Baker, just released from prison, a ride from a residence in Chicago to his mother’s home on Springbrook Drive in Aurora. The victim had known Baker since she was a young child. During the trip to Aurora, Baker asked the victim if she was interested in engaging in sexual activity with him. The victim declined.
When they arrived at Baker’s mother’s home, Baker entered a room where the victim had been, grabbed her hand, closed the door and refused to allow her to leave. He then sexually assaulted her. The victim told Baker to stop but he refused.
Yesterday, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Baker has agreed to a sentence of 20 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of criminal sexual assault, Class 1 felony.
Judge David P. Kliment accepted the plea.
“Mr. Baker is a dangerous man who should be behind bars given his history of sexual violence,” said Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Michels. “I am proud of this victim for her courage in reporting this sexual assault, which has prevented him from committing acts of violence against anyone else.”
Illinois law requires Baker to serve at least 85 percent of the 20-year sentence. He receives credit for time served in the Kane County jail.
