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A father and son from Chicago face criminal charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a student in an Illinois State University residence hall during a gathering of incoming students on campus for orientation.

Shawn Childs Jr., 19, is charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault of a woman who also was on campus for orientation, which ISU calls Preview.

His father, Shawn Childs Sr., is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver for allegedly putting ecstasy in the woman’s soda during the alleged incident that happened between 10 and 11 p.m. Tuesday at Hewett Hall in Normal.

According to a statement read Thursday in McLean County Circuit Court by First Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Ghrist, the father and son came into the residence hall with other students who were on campus to learn more about the university ahead of the start of classes in August.

The group was together in one of the dorm rooms, where students were staying during the two-day Preview that ended Thursday.

The elder Childs offered to go out and purchase alcohol for the students who were minors, and returned with alcohol from a nearby store, said Ghrist. The alleged victim told police she saw Childs Sr. put a pill in her soda that she then drank.

The alleged victim, whose hometown was not disclosed, left the gathering and returned to her room after she felt ill. She told police she was sexually assaulted by Shawn Childs Jr. who followed her into the room. In her description of the assault, the woman said the suspect raped her twice and barred her from leaving the room, Ghrist said in court.

She reported the alleged attack the following morning.

The prosecutor added that Childs Jr. admitted to police that the victim was “messed up” when the incident occurred.

ISU Chief of Staff Jay Groves said the incident “has nothing to do with mischief and everything to do with terrible criminal behavior on the part of adults.”

Preview “is a 50-year-old orientation program at ISU that has been wildly successful for freshmen and their families,” added Groves and has never been marred by criminal activity.

Parents who attend the event stay on separate floors of Hewett Hall from their children, said Groves.

Preview gives incoming students the chance to meet with academic advisors, register for classes, and meet other students, faculty and staff.

The father and son were arrested Wednesday at Uptown Station as they were getting ready to board a train back to Chicago. Childs Sr. had 22 ecstasy pills in his pocket when he was arrested, said Ghrist.

Childs Jr. is being held in lieu of $10,035; his father must post $20,035 to be released. The son has no prior criminal record, but his father has previous convictions for attempted murder, domestic battery and unlawful use of weapon, according to Ghrist.

A July 29 arraignment is scheduled for both men.

Source: Chicago Tribune