Man Accused of Sexual Assault Near Sox-35th Red Line Station Receives Probation

A man accused of sexually abusing a woman he followed from the Sox-35th Red Line station one year ago has received probation in exchange for his guilty plea.

The victim rode the train home late on November 24, 2023, after going out and having some drinks, according to prosecutors. They said Cameron Jernigan, who did not know the woman, began following her as she made her way home from the train station.

Jernigan, 24, repeatedly grabbed the woman by her arm and hand, but she got away by smacking his hand and pulling her arm away, prosecutors said. He eventually forced her into a parking lot behind the 3200 block of South Princeton.

Surveillance video showed Jernigan standing over the woman, exposing his privates, and ordering her to perform a sex act, prosecutors claimed. They said the woman managed to create some space and stand up, which caused Jernigan to flee. She suffered bruising to her arms, legs, sides, and buttocks.

After spending nearly a year in jail awaiting trial, Jernigan has now pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse causing bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place, according to court records.

Judge Stanley Sacks sentenced him to 36 months of probation and ordered him to register as a sex offender, the records state. Jernigan must also submit a DNA sample for inclusion in law enforcement databases.

Prosecutors dropped 19 other felonies in their plea deal, including multiple counts of kidnapping and attempted criminal sexual assault.

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