Sex offender denies he was behind attacks
A convicted sex offender accused of trying to rape two other women pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.
Robert J. Evans, 28, of 1426 Lotus Drive in Round Lake Beach, is charged with attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault in connection with attacks on Oct. 15 and Oct. 31.
Police said a 50-year-old woman was attacked near a barn near Fairfield and Chardon roads on Oct. 15 but was rescued when a relative chased Evans away.
On Oct. 31, a 19-year-old Wauconda woman told police she was jogging on the Millennium Trial when Evans ran past her going in the opposite direction.
The woman told police she turned around a short time later and saw Evans running behind her.
He eventually grabbed her by the neck and dragged her into some bushes next to the trail, but the woman was able to escape by pushing him off her and running away, authorities said.
Evans is a half-brother of Christopher Hanson, currently serving a life prison term for the last of his four attacks on women.
Evans is facing enhanced penalties because of his criminal history.
Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz said Evans was sentenced Dec. 28, 1999, to 6½ years in prison after being convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Evans also was sentenced to three years in prison in 1998 after a burglary conviction and to four years after a 1997 burglary conviction.
His record means Evans will face a mandatory prison sentence of between six and 30 years in each of the two cases against him, Fisz said, instead of the four- to 15-year penalty the offenses normally carry.
It is possible Evans also will be on parole for the rest of his life when released from prison if he is convicted in either of the cases.
Circuit Judge Fred Foreman told Evans he also is charged with attempted criminal sexual assault, attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse and unlawful restraint in both cases.
He scheduled a trial for Feb. 4 and told Evans, who is being held on $1 million bond, to appear in court again Jan. 9.