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Cops: Tattoo Artist Charged With Sex Assault

CHICAGO (STMW) - A man was ordered held on $350,000 bond Sunday after allegledy choking a woman into unconsciousness and sexually assaulting her using "tattoo tools" on the Near West Side early Saturday.

Cook County Criminal Court Judge Israel Desierto ordered Jef Stuart Whitehead held on $350,000 bond during a hearing Sunday, according to a court clerk.

Whitehead is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Monday in Violence Court (Br. 66), according to the clerk.

Whitehead, 42, of the 1100 block of West Taylor Street, was charged with one count of criminal sexual assault, can't consent and one count of aggravated domestic battery, according to police.

Whitehead was arrested after his girlfriend, who he allegedly choked into unconsciousness, woke up outside and called 911 about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Harrison District police Lt. John Andrews.

Police initially responded to a report of a woman stabbed and fire department personnel transported her to University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago for treatment.

The incident started when the two were having an argument which escalated into a physical altercation, according to Andrews.

"She was cut with scissors, causing bruising and scratches to her chest and neck,'' he said.

A police report said after the suspect stabbed her, he allegedly rendered her unconscious and sexually assaulted her using tattoo tools, according to a police report.

Whitehead, who is originally from California, does not have a criminal history in the Chicago area, according to Andrews.

Whitehead's occupation is listed on the report as a tattoo artist and he was arrested at 1150 W. Taylor St. at 4:45 a.m. Saturday. The Taylor Street address is listed to Taylor Street Tattoo and Body Piercing.

Harrison Area detectives are investigating.

Police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez said their office is not releasing a mugshot of Whitehead.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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