Boys and Girls Club worker charged with molesting teen
A 24-year-old Elgin man faces charges that he sexually molested a teenage boy he met through the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, prosecutors said Friday.
Bail was set Friday at $200,000 for Brett M. Carmouche, a Boys and Girls Club of Elgin employee currently on paid leave.
Carmouche began volunteering for the club in February or March and was hired shortly thereafter, authorities said. Police say he met the 14-year-old boy during the summer and gave the boy his address and phone number, against club policy.
He contacted the teen through Facebook, sent him a photo of a female body part and told the teen he had vodka, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Katherine Levine.
The teen, who is a ward of the state, went to Carmouche's house on Aug. 13, where Carmouche gave him alcohol, Levine said. Later, the teen awoke to find the man molesting him, she said.
The Department of Children and Family Services reported the accusations in September to the Elgin Police Department. Officers arrested Carmouche Thursday on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and providing harmful material to a minor, Levine said. Carmouche also faces charges of grooming, where an individual uses the Internet to entice a child to engage in sexual conduct, Levine said.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Elgin's board of directors removed Carmouche after learning of the charges. He is prohibited from entering its facilities or participating in club activities, according to a statement released by the organization. The release also notes that the charges are not tied to anything that took place on club premises or during club hours.
“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Elgin is committed to the highest standards of ethical behavior and integrity, and does not tolerate inappropriate or illegal activity on the part of any club staff, volunteer or youth member,” the statement read.
If convicted of the most serious charge, Carmouche could face between six and 30 years in prison. He next appears in court on Nov. 15.