Grand Portage man charged as sexual predator

In Cook County District Court Monday, Sept. 17, a 36 year old Grand Portage man was faced with four counts related to sexual predation of an 11 year old minor and four additional criminal sexual conduct counts with a nine year old.

Joel Ray Allard is charged with having criminal sexual activities with the two female minors in August of this year. The investigation is ongoing and includes alleged inappropriate, nonconsensual, forced nude photographs of minor girls over a possible two-year period.

Allard faces two counts of felony criminal sexual predatory conduct, two counts of felony criminal sexual conduct, two counts of felony false imprisonment and two counts of gross misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct. He is also charged with one count of furnishing alcohol to a person under 21.

The formal complaint alleges Allard offered an 11 year old Grand Portage girl alcohol and a small amount of money in order to take approximately 200 partially nude photos. The complaint further alleges Allard had inappropriate sexual contact with the nine year old, and held her in confinement against her will while photographing her partially nude.

The case was continued by District Court Judge Michael Cuzzo until Wednesday, Sept. 19 to allow Allard to set up legal counsel. If a public defender is not in place by that time, Cuzzo said that the case would be continued for three weeks.

During Monday’s hearing, Cuzzo set bail at $50,000 for each case or a total of $100,000. Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell argued for bail of $120,000 saying that due to the “ongoing investigation” and “number of potential of child victims” Allard should not be out of custody.