Elgin Boys & Girls Club Employee Charged With Molesting Teen

ELGIN, Ill. (STMW) -- An employee of the Elgin Boys & Girls Club has been charged with molesting a 14-year-old boy he had met through the northwest suburban club while the boy was at his home, the Courier-News is reporting.

Elgin Police Lt. Sean Rafferty said Brett Carmouche, 24, of Elgin, was charged Thursday with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one count of grooming a child-molestation victim by use of the Internet, and one count of providing harmful material to a minor, which consisted of "inappropriate" Internet messages and liquor.

Rafferty said Carmouche allegedly first met the teenager at the club, though the alleged molestation took place at his own home.

According to the charges, Carmouche exchanged messages with the youth via Facebook and other means, and finally invited him to Carmouche's home in late summer. There he allegedly gave the youth liquor and made "inappropriate contact."

A statement from the club's board of directors on Friday said that "as soon as the board of directors learned about the allegations, it took immediate action. Brett Carmouche was placed on paid leave, prohibiting him access to the organization and any of its operations. Mr. Carmouche's future with the Club will be determined the first part of next week."

"We are, and have been, cooperating fully with law enforcement in the investigation of this matter," the board's statement adds. "It should be noted the allegations did not take place on club premises or during club hours."

"Our most important priorities are the safety and well-being of the children we serve, and the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us by donors. Boys & 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. In addition, all employees and volunteers must undergo a thorough criminal background check."

On Friday a Cook County Circuit Court judge set bond for Carmouche at $200,000.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)