Sex Offender Charged In Wicker Park Home Invasion

CHICAGO — A registered sex offender is accused of stabbing a 24-year-old woman during a Wicker Park home invasion over the summer, according to authorities. Lester Johnson, 53, of the 2500 block of South 24th Street, Broadview, was charged with two felonies — home invasion causing injury and failure to report a change of address — and two misdemeanors — violation of an order of protection and phone harassment — stemming from the incident, Chicago police said in a statement Thursday.

The attack happened just before around 12:55 a.m. May 28 in the 1300 block of North Bell Avenue, according to police. Johnson allegedly forced his way in to a woman's home and stabbed her in the leg with a knife he was carrying, police said.

The woman was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in stable condition following the incident. Police arrested Johnson at around 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at his Broadview address.

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According to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, Johnson has a previous conviction for aggravated criminal sexual assault in Champaign County. He was 32 years old at the time, and the victim was 28, the registry states.

Johnson is set to appear in bond court Friday.

Lester Johnson (Photo via Chicago Police Department)