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Probation on reduced charge in 2012 Aurora University rape case

One of three men charged in the August 2012 gang rape of a drunk woman at Aurora University has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unlawful restraint.

Eric Stallworth Jr., 24, of Chicago, was sentenced to two years of probation, fined $3,110, and 23 weekends of periodic imprisonment after pleading guilty to the reduced felony charge, according to Kane County court records.

Judge John Barsanti accepted the plea agreement in late August. Stallworth's case was scheduled for a jury trial to begin Monday.

Stallworth's defense attorney, Kathleen Colton, could not be reached for comment Thursday. In previous court hearings she suggested the woman changed her mind - at first telling doctors she didn't know who assaulted her and that she resisted, and later telling police Stallworth had sex with her without her consent.

Colton also has noted in previous court hearings the woman didn't go to a hospital until three days after the incident and no DNA was collected from when the woman went to a hospital in Aug. 15, 2012, and Oct. 2, 2012, when Stallworth was arrested while he walked to class at Aurora University.

Two other Aurora University students - Corderro Pollard, 24, of Chicago, and Shammrie M. Brown, 28, of Aurora, were charged in October 2012.

Stallworth and Pollard were charged with sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman from Joliet at their residence in Aurora.

According to court testimony, the trio went out drinking with the woman and some friends in Naperville and the woman eventually went back to Stallworth's and Pollard's residence in Aurora, where the two are accused of assaulting her.

Brown was charged with sexual assault because he knew what was happening, but didn't stop it, records show.

Pollard is next due in court Wednesday, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

His defense attorney, Michael Fleming, did not return a phone message Thursday.

Brown was initially charged with sexual assault, but prosecutors dropped those charges and instead charged him with misdemeanor battery, records show. Brown is due in court Sept. 22, and faces up to a year in jail if convicted. His defense attorney has refused to comment on the case and whether his client received a deal to testify against Stallworth and/or Pollard.

If Stallworth violates his probation, he could be resentenced to up to three years in prison.

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