A Naperville cab driver was found guilty this week of sexually assaulting a female passenger following a six-day bench trial.
Sandeep Arora, 48, of Naperville, picked up the woman and a friend at a Naperville business in July 2017, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office account of the evidence.
He dropped the friend off first and then drove the victim to another location, where he sexually attacked her while she was seated in the front seat, “partially ripping off some of her clothing and leaving bruising and marks on her body,” the report said. A short time later, he pulled over and assaulted her again.
“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 report said.
The woman notified Naperville police the following day, and Arora was charged with two counts each of aggravated criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual assault and one count each of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual abuse, all of which are felony charges.
Judge Michael Reidy found Arora guilty on all counts Tuesday. Arora could be sentenced to between 12 and 60 years in prison, and will be required to serve 85% of the sentence under state law, the state’s attorney’s office 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,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “I commend her for her strength and courage in bringing this matter to the police and for her assistance throughout this entire ordeal.”
Arora’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 15.