HIV-positive man found guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two teenage girls

Man arrested after he posed as a police officer and pretended to arrest a 15-year-old girl before assaulting her

Cornett will be sentenced to 80 years to life in prison (CBS LA)

A 42–year-old man has been found guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two teenaged girls in Lancaster, Los Angeles.

Joseph Kenneth Cornett, who is HIV positive, was found guilty of 15 felony counts, including kidnapping to commit rape, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury and lewd acts with a child over 14.

On 13 April 2015, Cornett gave a 15-year-old girl a lift in his car and would not let her leave, according to evidence. He then drove her to a deserted area in Lancaster and sexually assaulted her twice.

Cornett approached another girl on 6 May 2015, a 15-year-old who was walking home from school. Witnesses said Cornett pretended to be a police officer and said he was going to arrest her for jaywalking.

The defendant coerced the girl into his car and drove her to some abandoned temporary mobile classrooms before sexually assaulting her.

The girl managed to flee, and was assisted by a group of people in a nearby church.

Evidence showed that Cornett had attempted to flee the area, but his vehicle became stuck in sand.

Cornett fought and spat at seven officers who arrested and charged him.

Charges included attempted unprotected sexual activity by one who knows himself to be HIV positive.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 28 April where Cornett will face 80 years to life in a state prison.