CTA predator who terrorized women and girls for years gets 9-year sentence, must register as sex offender for life
A man who has a history of targeting women and girls on the CTA has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to three separate cases. Robert L. Cook, 28, will also be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release.
Cook’s criminal behavior dates back to at least November 2017 when he was charged with attacking a 15-year-old girl and a 23-year-old woman on the Red Line in the Loop. Surveillance footage from the CTA showed Cook using his size to confine the victims to their seats on the train, pressing against them and grinding his private parts against their legs and buttocks. He also made inappropriate comments to the victims during the assaults. Cook eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping in this case and received a six-year sentence.
In May 2024, Cook was arrested again after allegedly attacking a woman on the State-Lake Red Line platform. The victim had refused to give him change, and Cook responded by kicking and punching her, causing her to suffer a bloody lip and bruised face. Despite this violent behavior, Cook was released without bail by Judge David Kelly during a court hearing.
As the cases against Cook continued to pile up, new State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke implemented a policy requiring prosecutors to seek detention for defendants accused of committing violent crimes on the CTA. Cook remained in jail as he faced additional charges of assaulting women on the train lines, including incidents where he sexually abused a teenage girl.
In April 2025, Cook pleaded guilty in three of the cases and was sentenced to nine years in each, to be served concurrently. Judge Michael Pattarozzi also ordered him to undergo mental health treatment and noted that he could be eligible for a reduced sentence for good behavior.
Cook’s pattern of targeting women and girls on public transportation has raised concerns about safety on the CTA. The cases against him highlight the need for increased vigilance and measures to protect passengers from predators like Cook.
