Dentist pleads guilty to criminal sexual assault

An Algonquin dentist who was set for jury trial Monday on multiple charges stemming from an attack of a woman in his office last year chose instead to plead guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault with force.

Had Eman Shirazi, 43, gone to trial this week, jurors would have heard secretly recorded conversations between Shirazi and the woman who accused him of assaulting her on Jan. 11, 2018.

In exchange for his guilty plea, felony charges of criminal sexual abuse and unlawful restraint were dismissed. A misdemeanor charge of battery also was dismissed.

Shirazi worked as a dentist and orthodontist at Water Tower Family Dental in Algonquin. His accuser said she had a two-year business relationship with him before the assault.

Shirazi was arrested days after the victim participated in secretly recorded conversations with him as Algonquin police listened in. At a hearing last month, his attorneys had argued to not allow the jury to hear those conversations, but Judge Robert Wilbrandt denied their motion.

According to court records, Shirazi was accused of pulling down the top of the woman’s dress and her bra and sexually assaulting her. The documents alleged that Shirazi also detained the woman illegally by closing the door to his office and placing himself between the woman and the door “with the intention of preventing her from leaving.”

Sentencing is set for Oct. 10, where he faces between three and seven years in prison. He also could receive probation, however.