35-year sentence for beating, kidnapping of Aurora woman
A 46-year-old man was sentenced to 35 years in prison Wednesday for kidnapping and beating a homeless woman in Aurora in August 2011.
Tracy S. Taylor, formerly of the 2400 block of Autumn Grove Circle, Aurora, pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping in exchange for prosecutors dismissing other less severe charges, such as kidnapping, aggravated criminal sexual assault and robbery.
Taylor's sentence will be served at the same time, or concurrently, as a 45-year sentence handed down for aggravated kidnapping in August 2011 in Cook County.
According to prosecutors, Taylor used the promise of a cigarette to lure the victim into his car Aug. 11, 2011, from a park near South River Street and North Avenue on Aurora's near west side.
Taylor drove off against the woman's wishes and took her to a parking lot on the 800 block of South Edgelawn Drive, where he beat her. A retired Aurora cop saw them, startling Taylor and allowing the woman to escape.
Prosecutors said he then drove to River Forest where he saw a woman walking alone, grabbed her and forced her into his car.
The woman screamed and witnesses called 911, causing Taylor to push the woman out of his car. After he was arrested, authorities found the Aurora victim's possessions in his car.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping in the River Forest case in August 2013 and has been in prison ever since, prosecutors said.
Taylor also has previous convictions for robbery, trespassing and criminal sexual assault, according to court records.
“Mr. Taylor is a dangerous and violent man who has no place in civilized society,” Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.
Under state law, Taylor must serve 85 percent of his sentence.