U.S. Judge Reassigned After Reversing Rape Conviction

An Illinois judge who came under fire after overturning a man's sexual assault conviction has been removed from adjudicating criminal cases, BBC News reported.

Photo Insert: The charge carried a mandatory minimum sentence of four years.

Last year, Adams County Judge Robert Adrian found Drew Clinton, 18, guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old. Clinton faced a minimum of four years in prison, but this month Judge Adrian said the 148 days spent in jail by Clinton was "plenty of punishment."

The judge has been assigned to civil cases, the Herald-Whig newspaper said. Judge Adrian's reversal during a January sentencing hearing drew immediate backlash from advocates for sexual assault survivors and the 16-year-old girl who reported the assault.

"He made me seem like I fought for nothing and that I put my word out there for no reason," the victim, Cameron Vaughan told local station WGEM-TV. "I immediately had to leave the courtroom and go to the bathroom. I was crying."

The teenager reported Clinton sexually assaulted her after she became intoxicated at a party on May 30, according to court documents. At trial, she testified she was unconscious and awoke to a pillow covering her face and Clinton assaulting her.

On October 15, Clinton was found guilty on one of three counts, of digitally penetrating the 16-year-old without consent. The charge carried a mandatory minimum sentence of four years.

The Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse, which supports victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence called Judge Adrian's reversal "sends a chilling message to other rape victims. One message is clear: If you are raped, avoid Judge Adrian's courtroom."

On Thursday, an administrative order filed by the chief judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit reassigned him to small claims, probate dockets, and other civil matters effective immediately.

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