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Chicago man charged with kidnapping, drugging and raping girl for five months

CHICAGO (CBS) – A Chicago man has been accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old girl and locking her in his basement for nearly five months while he repeatedly sexually abused her.

Derek Swift is accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old girl and locking her in a basement for nearly five months while he repeatedly drugged and sexually abused her.

Cook County Sheriff


Derek Swift, 48, is charged with one count each of aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

According to court documents, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said the girl was on her way home on Dec. 6 when Swift pulled up in a car and offered her a ride.

After the victim got into his car, he urged her to drink alcohol and take pills, causing her to lose consciousness, prosecutors said.

The victim later woke up naked in a bed in Swift’s apartment. Swift kept her locked in the basement, raped her repeatedly until late April, sometimes leaving her alone for two to three days.

Once, when she was locked up, Swift gave her a phone so he could check on her and threatened to kill her if she contacted anyone. Prosecutors said he also forced her to take pills and forcefully put them in her mouth when she refused.

Swift held her in the basement until April 29, when she called the police.

At his first court appearance Thursday, he was ordered held in the Cook County Jail while he awaits trial. He is due back in court on May 21.