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TAYLORSVILLE — A Salt Lake man who police say teaches the Quran at a community center in Taylorsville has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl.
Abdi Abddullahi Harun, 34, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Tuesday and charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with forcible sexual abuse and extortion or bribery to dismiss a criminal proceeding, second-degree felonies; plus aggravated kidnapping in the course of committing unlawful detention and witness tampering, third-degree felonies.
The investigation began June 29 when Taylorsville police responded to a report of a possible sex offense. A 17-year-old girl and her guardian reported that Harun was supposed to drive the girl to a "school" near 4150 S. Redwood and back, and not take her anywhere else, according to a police booking affidavit. Taylorsville police described the school as more of a small community center but noted that Harun held a position of trust over the girl because he was her Quran teacher.
Police say Harun had the girl sit next to him as he drove her home. But rather than take her directly home, they went to a store near 1800 South and 300 West, the affidavit states.
"(Harun) sent the victim inside the store, where the victim contacted a friend expressing that they were scared and to notify police if they were not home within 20 minutes," according to the affidavit.
As this was happening, the girl's guardian called Harun asking where she was.
After leaving the store, Harun began touching the victim's thigh as they drove, and "grabbing the victim's hand and putting his arms around the victim and touching the victim's chest," according to the arrest report.
The girl "began filming (Harun) due to being in fear and feeling uncomfortable. (Harun) made mention of making the victim his second wife," the affidavit says. Charging documents further allege that "Harun stated that Somali people don't care about age" to which the teen replied, "This is America."
"Harun then told (her) not to tell her family. (She) stated that on or about July 17, Harun contacted her. Harun told (her) that he would pay up to $30,000 if she did not talk to the police," according to the charges.
Harun also requested nude photos from the girl and told her that if she "said anything to anyone about the conversation he would kill (her) and harm (her) family," the affidavit alleges.
Police detained Harun on Tuesday and arrested him after he declined to answer questions.
