Antioch Township man arrested in sexual assault on 2 children

ANTIOCH -- An Antioch Township registered sex offender has been charged with sexual assault in connection with crimes involving two young female relatives, police said.

In December 2020, a report was made with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office regarding a sexual offence that occurred several years ago when two female victims were between the ages 4 and 12 years of age, according to a news release.

Sheriff’s detectives determined that several acts of sexual assault occurred more than 10 years ago at a residence in the 39400 block of North Highview Drive in Antioch Township.

The individual who allegedly committed the sexual assaults, Michael R. Olofson, 50, of the 39400 block of North Highview Drive, Antioch Township, is a registered sexual offender.

The victims were related to Olofson and he committed numerous acts of sexual assault on the girls over the duration of more than a year, police said. Olofson is a convicted sexual offender due to a previous conviction for possessing child pornography.

Olofson was arrested Feb. 5 at his home.

Olofson has been charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (Class X felonies) and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felonies).

He was being held in the Lake County Jail on $100,000 bail. He is next due in court on Feb 23.

“As with all victims of abuse, the victims in this case had a lot of courage to come forward and discuss the abuse they endured for years,” Sheriff John Idleburg said in the release. “I want every victim of sexual assault to know we are always here for you. We will always be your advocate and will always do everything we can for you.”