A man pled guilty to charges stemming from attacks on two women on consecutive days in May 2024 and received a six-year prison sentence. According to police files, he was discharged without arrest less than two weeks earlier after three women reported him grabbing them in separate incidents at Marquette Park.
Jermaine Fowlkes, 38, pled guilty to attempted criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery by strangulation, and felony resisting, according to court documents. According to court documents, he was meant to be under electronic monitoring while awaiting trial in the resisting case at the time of the attacks. The sentences will run concurrently.
According to prosecutors, on May 22, 2024, Fowlkes allegedly pulled a 43-year-old woman in a bear grip, slammed his groin against her buttocks, and attempted to take her into an alley as she got out of her car to go to work in the 2600 block of West 71st Street. One of the victim’s coworkers, a 45-year-old woman, heard her screams and pushed Fowlkes away, according to officials. The coworker also photographed the alleged attacker and provided it to authorities.
Around 6:10 a.m. the next day, one block away, Fowlkes allegedly grabbed a 62-year-old woman by the arm while she was taking out the garbage and tried to pull her down.
As she shouted for help, Fowlkes pulled up her shirt and down her pants, according to prosecutors. A passing motorist got out of their car, yelled at Fowlkes, and followed him as he drove away, according to officials.
According to a Chicago Police Department complaint, around 20 minutes later, Fowlkes allegedly grabbed another woman’s arm as she left a gas station in the 7100 block of South California Avenue. The woman broke free and took a photograph of him, which she later submitted to authorities.
Police apprehended Fowlkes at his house about 90 minutes later when his mother called 911 to report that she believed he was wanted in connection with previous occurrences in the area, according to a police report.
A CWB Chicago analysis of police records revealed that officers encountered Fowlkes on May 11, less than two weeks before the attacks, after three women reported that he grabbed them in separate incidents as they strolled through Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave. According to accounts, Fowlkes allegedly grabbed a woman’s arm at 7:30 a.m. in both cases. A Chicago Park District security man tackled Fowlkes to the ground and kept him until Chicago police arrived. However, cops did not arrest him as directed by a sergeant, according to the report.
According to court records, Fowlkes was meant to be wearing a GPS tracking device while awaiting trial on a felony allegation of resisting or obstructing a police officer inflicting injury.
Judge Michael Pattarozzi sentenced Fowlkes to six years in prison for attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault while committing another offense, according to court records. The term will be served concurrently with a five-year sentence for aggravated battery and a one-year sentence for resisting or obstructing a police officer.
Fowlkes is expected to be released on May 10, 2027, after receiving credit for time served and the normal 50% reduction for good conduct.
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