HIV-positive man posing as officer allegedly abducts, assaults girl
An HIV-positive man accused of abducting and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl after impersonating a police officer in Southern California pleaded not guilty in court Monday.
Joseph Kenneth Cornett, 41, allegedly told the girl he was arresting her for jaywalking on her way home from school about 3 p.m. Friday, KTLA reported. Cornett took the Lancaster, Calif., girl into a nearby portable classroom and sexually assaulted her, prosecutors said.
The teen escaped to a nearby church where help was called. Cornett attempted to flee but his car became stuck in sand, according to KTLA. He was taken into custody after reportedly spitting at deputies.
He was charged with nine felonies and eight misdemeanors, including:
- Kidnapping to commit rape
- Assault with intent to commit a felony
- Attempted forcible rape
- Assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury
- Kidnapping
- Attempted unprotected sexual activity by one who knows self to be infected with HIV
- Sexual penetration with a foreign object
- Lewd act upon a child
- False imprisonment by violence
- Seven counts of resisting a peace officer
- Possession of a controlled substance, PCP
Cornett is being held on $1.2 million bail, KTLA reported. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Contact Kristen DeSilva at 702-477-3895 or kdesilva@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva