Gordon pleads in sex assault case

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

September 05, 2008 11:40 am

— MOUNT CARROLL, Ill. — A man accused of sexually assaulting two women in Mount Carroll in 2006 has pleaded guilty to two of the charges.
Dewey Gordon, 19, of Mount Carroll, was arrested Oct. 10, 2006, and charged with two counts of home invasion, six counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and one count of attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault. Home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual assault are Class X felonies, punishable by six to 30 years in prison on each count. Attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault is a Class I felony, punishable by four to 15 years imprisonment.
The first charge of home invasion and six counts of sexual assault are related to an incident on Sept. 10, 2006. Gordon was accused of entering a dwelling at 601 S. Jackson St. in Mount Carroll, armed with a knife and threatening imminent use of force while sexually assaulting the victim.
Regarding a second incident on Sept. 30, 2006, Gordon was charged with home invasion and attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault. He was accused of entering a home at 427 S. Mill St., “with intent that the offense of aggravated criminal sexual assault be committed, performed an act that constituted a substantial step toward the commission of that offense.” Court documents state Gordon entered the residence armed with a knife, jumped on top of a female and grabbed her about the neck.
Gordon pleaded not guilty to the charges on Oct. 16, 2006. He is being represented by Byron N. Sloan, of Vella and Lund PC of Rockford, Ill.
In an objection to a state’s motion for disclosure seeking sampling of the defendant’s body specimens, Sloan stated Gordon would rely on the presumption of his innocence and intended to prove an alibi, presenting witnesses to that effect. Gordon claimed he was at 100 N. Jackson St. in Mount Carroll on Sept. 30 and the location was so distant from the second alleged victim’s house, he could could not have committed the offenses he was charged with in counts eight and nine. The estimated two-week trial was set to begin Sept. 15.
Gordon last week appeared before Carroll County Judge Ronald M. Jacobsen and entered pleas of guilty to one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault and one count of home invasion.
On the sexual assault charge, Gordon was sentenced to serve 17 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and given credit for 700 days served.
Under the truth and sentencing laws, Gordon must serve 85 percent of his sentence. He also must register as a sex offender, have a DNA assessment and submit to sexually transmitted disease testing.
On the charge of home invasion, Gordon was sentenced to serve 17 years in the IDOC. The sentences will be served concurrently. All other counts against Gordon were dismissed.