Carol Stream insurance agent faces molestation charges

A Carol Stream insurance salesman accused of molesting a friend’s 5-year-old daughter was ordered held Tuesday on $350,000 bail.

John M. Garcines, 26, of the 600 block of Gunderson Drive, appeared in DuPage County bond court on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Garcines molested and exposed himself to the daughter of a friend who left the child in his care. The alleged abuse took place in Bloomingdale on at least two occasions in February and April, authorities said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Enza LaMonica said Garcines admitted to the charges and “apologized for the whole thing” after the victim told her mother of the abuse, prompting an investigation. When he was arrested, she said, authorities also found snapshots of the victim on his cellphone.

Judge Michael Wolfe set Garcines’ bail at $350,000, meaning he would have to post $35,000 to be released while his case is pending.

Garcines told the judge he earned about $14,000 last year working for an in-home health care agency and also as an insurance salesman. He said he is not a U.S. citizen but is pursuing citizenship.

Garcines remained in the county jail Tuesday afternoon, pending a May 23 arraignment in front of Judge John Kinsella. Should he post bond, Wolfe ordered he have no contact with the victim or any other children.

State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said the case was jointly investigated by his office, Bloomingdale police and the DuPage County Children’s Center.

“My office takes all allegations of sexual abuse very seriously,” he said in a statement. “Young victims are oftentimes manipulated to keep their attacker’s secrets from society.”