Aurora man, 19, facing more sex abuse charges

DIXON – An Aurora man already charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl this summer now also is charged with abusing a 7-year-old girl in October.

Damien J. Bell, 19, is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, is punishable by 6 to 30 years in prison.

Bell, arrested at 11:33 a.m. Thursday at the Lee County Courthouse, was in jail in Dixon Monday on $100,000 bond. He has a status hearing Wednesday.

Lee County Sheriff’s Detective Shane Miller said deputies were contacted in November by the parents of a 13-year-old girl who said she had been sexually abused by Bell. He was charged with misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse and posted $300 cash.

Deputies received another report weeks later regarding the 7-year-old, whom Bell had baby-sat, Miller said.

Both girls are from rural Lee County.