Demond A. Barnes - Repeat Sex Offender Psychopath

Police have arrested a man they say viciously attacked two women he was partying with Sunday.

Demond A. Barnes, 33, was booked into the county jail on charges of attempted murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated unlawful restraint and failing to comply with the state's sex offender registry requirements.

Deputy Chief Patrick Kerr said Barnes, also known as "Peanut," spent Saturday night drinking with a 20-year-old acquaintance and her 18-year-old roommate at their apartment in the 400 block of North Bluff Street.

"At that point, the time they spent with the suspect was consensual," Kerr said.

Rape alleged

But around 3 a.m. Sunday, Barnes apparently became violent.

"He raped the 18-year-old and bound the 20-year-old up with shoelaces and covered her mouth," Kerr said.

Reports indicate Barnes also put a plastic bag over the 20-year-old victim's head and punched her several times over the next 11 hours. The bag reportedly covered the woman's nose and mouth.

"The 18-year-old victim reported Barnes held a knife to her throat and raped her five or six times. When she attempted to leave the apartment, he punched her as well," Kerr said. "These women told officers they feared he was going to kill them."

Kerr said the women persuaded Barnes he didn't need to kill them if they were allowed to shower to remove any DNA evidence.

"He agreed and put the (shoelaces) he used to restrain the one victim in a garbage bag. He took the garbage from the apartment but the victims saw him throw it in a nearby Dumpster."

The victims reportedly called relatives and 911 and were taken to Silver Cross Hospital.

"They have injuries consistent with the scenario they reported," Kerr said.

Attempted murder charge

Barnes' acquaintance gave police a picture of Barnes from her cell phone.

"Officers went to 401 N. Bluff Street, where it appears he was staying, and found him in a fourth floor apartment," Kerr said.

After Barnes' arrest, Kerr said the Will County State's Attorney's office approved attempted murder charges against him for allegedly putting the plastic bag over the woman's head.

Barnes provided a permanent address of Las Vegas when booked into the county jail, which matches his listing on the state police sex offender registry.

Barnes was 17 and living in the 300 block of South Des Plaines Street in Joliet when he was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Will County. As part of his 1993 plea deal, he was sentenced to seven years and required to register as a sex offender.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte