DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A Deerfield Beach preacher has been arrested after he is accused of sexual battery on a minor.
Junior Augustin, 34, is charged with sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior after a woman found sexually explicit messages and photos on her teen daughter’s cell phone from the preacher.
A preliminary investigation by Broward Sheriff’s Office alleges that a 16-year-old girl was staying at Augustin’s home to assist with babysitting his eight children while his wife was in the hospital.
Family members told Local 10 News the victim is also Augustin’s god daughter.
“It just makes us feel like this world is very evil,” the victim’s sister told Local 10 News.
According to BSO, the teen was at the clergyman’s house during the months of January and February. In March, when the girl returned home, her mother said she noticed her daughter was acting suspiciously, investigators said.
After checking the teen’s cellphone, the woman found sexually explicit photos and messages that Augustin and her daughter had sent to one another over mobile apps, according to BSO.
“We just never expected that it would happen to us,” the victim’s sister said. “That way we looked at him and trusted him.”
Investigators also said that in March, during two meetings that were regularly recorded at a church, Augustin voluntarily confessed information about the exchanges between the two.
On Thursday, March 30, Augustin was arrested on charges of sexual battery on a minor 16 or 17 years of age and sex offense of a victim over 12 and up to 15 years of age.
“That is a scar my sister will always have to remember and grow up with,” the victim’s sister said.
Investigators are concerned that there may be more victims and are encouraging anyone with information to contact Detective Dimos Charoudis at (954) 321-4243. Those who would like to remain anonymous can call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.