Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives arrested a preacher, identified as Junior Augustine, at his home in Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 30 for charges related to sexual battery of a minor.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, a 16 year old female, was staying at Augustine’s home to assist with babysitting his eight children while his wife was in the hospital.

The victim stayed at Augustine’s home during the months of January and February of 2021. In March, the victim returned home and began showing signs of behavior that were suspicious to her mother.

The victim’s mother, suspicious of her daughters newly acquired behavior, obtained her cellphone and saw sexually explicit photos and messages expressing their love for each other sent to and from Augustine via Whatsapp and Telegram.

In March, on two occasions, Augustine acknowledged the acts and made a voluntary confession during a meeting that was regularly recorded at a church in unincorporated Central Broward.

On March 30, BSO SVU detectives arrested Augustine 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.

The investigation in ongoing.

Anyone who has information regarding this case or is aware of additional victims is encouraged to contact Detective Dimos Charoudis at 954-321-4243. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.