Defendant Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Woman at Gunpoint; Facing 84-Year Minimum

ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2019, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:48 A.M., OAK BROOK POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE HYATT HOUSE LOCATED ON 22ND STREET IN OAK BROOK FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT HAD OCCURRED IN A VACANT ROOM.

Oak Brook - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a jury has found Julius Ramsey, 38 (d.o.b. 8/17/1982) of the 4000 block of West Wilcox, Chicago, guilty of sexually assaulting at gunpoint, a female employee of an Oak Brook hotel in the fall of 2019. The jury returned their verdict after approximately two and one half hours of deliberations following a three-day-long trial.

On September 9, 2019, at approximately 11:48 a.m., Oak Brook police were called to the Hyatt House located on 22nd Street in Oak Brook for a sexual assault that had occurred in a vacant room. Upon their arrival, officers interviewed the victim and began an investigation. Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that at approximately 11:20 a.m., Ramsey forced the woman at gunpoint into a vacant room at the hotel where he sexually assaulted her on several occasions, put the gun to her head and threatened to kill her. At some point in time, the victim was able to escape the room and reported the assault. She was immediately taken to a local hospital for medical attention. The investigation also yielded a firearm in a hotel room rented by Ramsey that matched the description provided by the victim as the gun Ramsey pointed at her head. Additionally, a DNA sample from Ramsey was later confirmed to be a match with DNA evidence collected. On September 12, 2019, Ramsey voluntarily came to the Oak Brook Police Department and was interviewed. Following the interview, Ramsey was taken into custody. He was charged on September 13, 2019. The following day, Ramsey appeared in Bond Court where bond was denied. He has been held in custody since that time at the DuPage County Jail.

“I’m sure this experience has been very traumatic for the victim and I commend her for having the courage to face her attacker in open court,” Berlin said. “The evidence in this case was overwhelming and I would like to thank the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab for their extended efforts in providing us the DNA evidence necessary in such a timely manner that we were able to charge Mr. Ramsey just days after the assault. I would also like to thank Judge MacKay for ensuring a fair trial as well as the Jury for their service. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Mike Fisher, Supervisor in my office’s Sexual Violence/Child Protection Division and Bridget Carlson, also of that division, for their efforts in holding Mr. Ramsey responsible for his actions.”

Ramsey's next court appearance is scheduled for July 9, 2021 for return of the Pre-sentence report. Because the crime was committed with a firearm, sentence guidelines dictate that Ramsey will face a minimum penalty of 84 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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