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Chicago Officer Acquitted in Case Alleging Sexual Abuse of Handcuffed Detainee

The judge ruled prosecutors failed to meet the burden of proof due to inconsistencies in testimony.

Overview

  • Cook County Judge Adrienne Davis delivered a bench verdict Monday, saying Chicagoans “deserve better” but finding Officer Stephan Shaw not guilty on all counts.
  • Davis cited contradictions in the complainant’s account and the absence of corroborating proof, noting surveillance video left moments outside the camera’s view.
  • Prosecutors had charged Shaw, 33, with multiple felonies including aggravated criminal sexual abuse, custodial sexual misconduct and official misconduct tied to a May 2023 booking at the Near North station.
  • The woman testified that Shaw groped her while she was handcuffed and later exchanged Facebook messages with him in which he asked about getting pizza.
  • Shaw remains relieved of police powers and assigned to an alternate response unit, and both a COPA investigation and the woman’s federal civil lawsuit are pending.