The executive director of a cultural center for Muslim youth in Kissimmee was arrested Wednesday after a teenager accused him of molesting her, according to an Osceola County Sheriff’s spokeswoman.
The man was charged with 12 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a person between 12 and 16 years old.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office claims they have been investigating the man since early January, when representatives of the local Muslim community told police about “inappropriate conduct” between the man and a 15-year-old girl.
Detectives apparently interviewed the girl in early February. She told police that the man first molested her after she fainted at the center last November and was brought to his office.
The girl claims the man touched her inappropriately a few times that day, and again on several occasions over the following weeks.
Detectives allege they tried to speak with the man in early February, but he would not cooperate.
Police obtained a warrant for the man’s arrest on Wednesday.
When deputy sheriffs told the man they had a warrant, he turned himself in.
He is being held on no bond in Osceola County Jail.
Child molestation is a crime that can involve a range of illegal sexual activities between an adult and a child under the age of 18. Even if the minor consented to the sexual activity, this does not matter, because a minor has no legal capacity to consent to sex.
If convicted of child molestation, you face years in prison followed by many years of parole. You will lose your civil rights and your privacy, because a conviction will result in mandatory registration as a sex offender. This means that your name, address, photo and description of charges will be posted on the internet for anyone to see. As a registered sex offender, finding suitable housing will be almost impossible, as will finding a job.
Regardless of your circumstances, if you have been accused of child molestation or any other sex crime, you need the help of a Florida Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.