Dupage Policy Journal

A homeless man has been sentenced to 66 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman near the Illinois Prairie Path. DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced the sentence today, which was handed down by Judge Margaret O’Connell. Robert Davison, aged 45, was found guilty by a jury on January 25, 2024, of twelve counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault and one count of Unlawful Restraint.

The incident occurred on May 18, 2018, when Wheaton Police responded to calls of someone screaming near the PADS Shelter. They discovered the victim with injuries and dirt on her face. An investigation revealed that Davison had approached the woman demanding sex and subsequently assaulted her after she refused. He was arrested two days later without incident.

At his sentencing hearing, evidence was presented that Davison had committed a similar assault on another homeless woman in Oak Park weeks before this case.

“Sexual assaults are degrading and among the most invasive crimes a victim can be forced to endure,” Berlin stated. “Physically and emotionally, the damage caused by a sex crime can fester, leaving victims to suffer not only at the time of the assault but possibly for years to come."

Berlin praised both Wheaton and Oak Park Police Departments for their work in bringing Davison to justice. Assistant State’s Attorneys Cathy Nusgart and Jim Scaliatine were also commended for preparing a strong case leading to Davison's conviction.

Davison must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.