Antioch Township man charged with sexually assaulting 2 children

A man is facing multiple felony charges for sexually assaulting two girls, for over a year, about a decade ago in Antioch Township.

Michael R. Olofson, 50, allegedly assaulted two children, who at the time were between 4 and 12 years old, for a duration of more than a year, according to a statement from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The acts of sexual assault occurred over 10 years ago at a residence in the 39400 block of North Highview Drive, the sheriff’s office said.

A report was filed to the sheriff’s office in December of 2020 and after an investigation, Olofson was arrested Friday at his home.

Olofson is a registered sex offender due to a previous conviction for possessing child pornography, the sheriff’s office said.

He now faces two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, the sheriff’s office said.

He remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $100,000 bail, the sheriff’s office said.

“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 D. Idleburg said. “I want every victim of sexual assault to know we are always here for you.”