Digital Forensics Dispatch

Former University of Illinois Cop Faces Rape Charges from Cellphone Evidence

April 28, 2020

Lenore Sobota of The Pantagraph reports that evidence found on the cellphone of a former University of Illinois police offer led to further charges of sexual assault, abuse and intimidation involving four separate victims. Jerald Sandage was arraigned on five counts of criminal sexual assault, one count of criminal sexual abuse and two counts of intimidation for incidents dating back to June 2012. Sandage, was arrested on the new charges on Wednesday, April 22. Bond for the new charges has been set at a total of $3 million, with each of the new charges being $750,000 each.

The incidents all allegedly occurred while Sandage was a member of the U of Illinois Police Department. Charges for official misconduct allege that Sandage used a police data system to search for information about people that he could then use for personal advantage. Evidence from Sandage’s cellphone during the initial investigation as well as additional information from people led to the new charges against Sandage. Evidence from the cellphone includes photographs of the alleged incidents among other information gathered.

The case has been continued to Friday May 1, while Sandage consults an attorney about the new charges. No plea was entered as Sandage had yet to retain an attorney.

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