Carol Stream sex offender charged with molesting two girls

A DuPage County judge set bail at $1 million Tuesday for a registered sex offender accused of molesting two young girls, including one who was at his home for a sleepover.

Joel Augustine, 34, of the 500 block of East Thornhill Drive, Carol Stream, faces three counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He would have to post $100,000 to be released from jail.

Augustine is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl who was known to him through a relationship. He also sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl who was a friend of the older victim during a sleepover at his home in August, prosecutors allege.

Assistant State's Attorney Ann Celine O'Hallaren said Augustine plied both children with alcohol and tried to get the younger victim to smoke marijuana. She said the younger victim awoke while Augustine was abusing her.

Augustine could be indicted on several charges that carry consecutive prison terms of up to 15 years, O'Hallaren said in bond court. She described him as person of “trust and authority” over the victims.

Augustine served time in prison and became a registered sex offender after he was convicted of attacking his then-17-year-old girlfriend behind her workplace in 1999, when he was 21 years old, according to court records.

He also has prior arrests for marijuana possession, drunken driving, domestic battery and failure to register as a sex offender, among other offenses, prosecutors said.

In court Tuesday, Augustine identified himself as the owner of a construction services company and asked for bail to be set at $5,000. Judge Elizabeth Sexton set bail at $1 million and ordered him to have no contact with minors if he is released from custody.

Augustine said he would live with his parents in West Chicago if he posts bond. His next court date is Oct. 26 in front of Judge George Bakalis.