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Man ordered to trial in alleged sexual assaults on two girls in Lancaster

by City News Service • June 26, 2015

Joseph Kenneth Cornett is taken into custody May 6 with a hood over his head commonly known as a “spit mask,” after he allegedly fought with deputies and spit at them. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
Joseph Kenneth Cornett is taken into custody May 6 with a hood over his head commonly known as a “spit mask,” after he allegedly fought with deputies and spit at them. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LANCASTER – An HIV-positive man was ordered Thursday to stand trial for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting two 15-year-old girls in Lancaster within less than a month.

Superior Court Judge Lisa M. Chung found sufficient evidence to require Joseph Kenneth Cornett, 41, to proceed to trial on 18 felony counts and eight misdemeanor counts.

Cornett is charged in both of the alleged attacks with attempted unprotected sexual activity by one who knows himself to be infected by HIV.

The most recent crime occurred May 6, when Cornett allegedly posed as a police officer and told one of the 15-year-old girls walking home from school that he was arresting her for jaywalking.

He allegedly took the girl to an abandoned mobile classroom near Lancaster Boulevard and 40th Street and sexually assaulted her.

The teen escaped and sought help across the street at Lancaster Baptist School.

When Cornett tried to drive away, his vehicle got stuck in the desert sand and he was arrested, after fighting with officers and spitting at them, according to Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami.

The charges against him in connection with that alleged attack include lewd act upon a child, sexual penetration by a foreign object and attempted forcible rape.

Cornett is charged with forcible rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment by violence for an alleged April 13 attack on the other teen, who was driven to a deserted area on the far east side of Lancaster and sexually assaulted after accepting a ride from Cornett, the prosecutor alleged.

Cornett — who remains jailed — is due back in a Lancaster courtroom for arraignment July 9. He could face a potential life prison sentence if convicted as charged.

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Previous related stories:

HIV+ man charged with raping another girl in Lancaster

Man pleads not guilty in Lancaster sexual assault

HIV+ man charged in kidnap, rape in Lancaster

Girl allegedly sexually assaulted near Lancaster school, suspect caught

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

7 comments for "Man ordered to trial in alleged sexual assaults on two girls in Lancaster"

  1. mammastone says

    July 6, 2015 at 8:34 am

    Hang him

  2. Mary says

    June 29, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I just said a prayer for her that she will not be infected with Aids. She didn’t deserve what happened to her and I will trust God to take care of her. He has always been with me and I trust he will be with her too. No child deserves to be raped, ever. I pray for strength for this young girl and her family
    God, please heal her heart and protect her body from any disease. Young girl, if you are reading this, know that all of us are feel terribly sad about what happened to you and that you in no way deserved it.

  3. VXSGuy says

    June 27, 2015 at 11:25 am

    I have no thoughts for this low-life p.o.s but i see where there maybe lawsuit from him for police and newspapers releasing his HIV condition. Mean while I feel for the young girls who have a long life of worrying that they are infected and carrier for the rest of their lives. @ DJ sounds as if you know these young ladies you can’t violate their right to privacy and if you know they are out knowingly infecting others then you should report them to the Health Department. The community doesn’t need a frivolous lawsuit violating individuals right to privacy.

    • RBGCHOK916 says

      June 29, 2015 at 11:51 pm

      If someone knowingly has HIV/AIDS & continues to have unprotected sex without informing the sexual partner of their status is attempted murder. You can report them to CDC & you can also expose them publicly. However, it’s ONLY in that instance.

  4. Saints says

    June 26, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Don’t hope anything bad on anyone.. but this moster, needs to be in jail for the rest of his life.. we, as society don’t need this type of mosters on the street anywhere!!! Hope those two kids, are able to get back to a normal life or as normal as possible…

    • Tim Scott says

      June 26, 2015 at 10:37 am

      If the allegations prove true I agree completely. That isn’t “hoping bad on anyone”, that is just what most likely needs to be done for the protection of society.

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