Milwaukee restaurant owner, former Salam School teacher charged with sexual assault of child
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The owner of a well-known Milwaukee restaurant is facing three felony charges related to allegations he sexually assaulted a child.
Mahmoud Saed is charged with repeated sexual assault of the same child, child enticement and sexual assault of a student by school staff. Prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old student while he was a teacher at Salam School beginning in 2012.
Saed was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, but his case was rescheduled.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim, now 29 years old, told investigators Saed took an interest in her when she was in eighth grade.
Court documents say, "In February or March of her 8th grade school year, the messages became increasingly suggestive and sexual."
Investigators say Saed invited the victim into his classroom and apartment "for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact."
The victim's mother is also facing a felony charge of failure to protect a child after investigators say she "encouraged the defendant to take things to the next level," believing Saed would marry the victim after she turned 18.
The victim told investigators the sexual abuse ended in 2015 after Saed's family intervened. According to the complaint, Saed then "resigned from his position at Salam School and opened a restaurant with his brother called 'Shawarma House.'"
In a statement, Salam School and the Islamic Society of Milwaukee wrote, "Neither ISM nor Salam School leadership were ever made aware of the allegations at the time they allegedly occurred, nor at any point since."
The statement went on to say their "utmost priority is our children's safety and well-being."
If convicted on all charges, Saed faces up to 71 years in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court again in October.