Brothers charged in Illinois serial rapes

CHICAGO - Two brothers were being held without bond Wednesday after being charged in a series of brutal sexual assaults dating back more than a decade, reports CBS Chicago.

Leondo Joseph, 38, and LB Joseph, 29, are charged in a handful of sexual assaults after DNA testing linked them to a series of rapes occurring between 2003 and 2012, according to the station. Leondo Joseph was charged in six attacks; LB Joseph in two.

Leondo Joseph was arrested Saturday night at his Chicago home. Police said he broke into women's homes in the Lakeview neighborhood, and raped them after threatening their lives, often while armed with a weapon, reports the station.

His younger brother allegedly took part in two attacks which occurred in vehicles, according to the station.

DNA collection activists are arguing that some of the rapes could have been prevented had the Joseph brothers been swabbed for DNA samples when they were arrested numerous times for non-felony offenses during the time span when they allegedly were committing the rapes.

Forcible DNA swabbing upon arrest is illegal in misdemeanor cases in Illinois.