Cooper City Private School Teacher Accused Of Raping Students
Ted Scouten South Florida Crime
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Cooper City (CBSMiami) – The Broward State Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charges against a teacher at a prestigious private Muslim K-12 school for his alleged sexual abuse and rape of two middle school students.
According to a statement by the victims’ attorneys, Tariq Ahmed is charged with six felony counts – including five first degree counts – for sexual abuse of one or more students, following an investigation by the Pembroke Pines Police Department.
“There was significant sexual abuse, intercourse and other inappropriate behavior such that one of the students had to have substantial surgical repair of that (private) area. It’s horrific,” said attorney Scott Mager.
Ahmed was a middle and high school teacher at Nur-Ul-Islam Academy.
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The attorneys said Ahmed would use text message, social media and even code in the classroom to set up meetings.
“He would use the chalk board to arraign for times and places to meet victims after school,” said attorney Michael Dolce.
The investigation started in May when the rape survivors came forward to disclose what Ahmed allegedly did to them.
The students said the abuse began in 2007, but didn’t come forward until now after years of therapy.
The school’s board of directors put out a statement:
Recently, we have become aware of disturbing allegations regarding a former teacher of Nur-ul-Islam Academy, Inc. (the “Academy&rdquo
. These allegations relate to alleged acts of the teacher 6 to 8 years ago, which did not occur on the school’s premise, concerning at least one former student of the Academy. Upon learning of these allegations, the Academy immediately suspended the teacher’s employment, barred him from any further contact with Academy students and has since terminated his employment with the Academy. Although none of the acts are alleged to have occurred on the Academy’s campus, such acts, if true, clearly violate the conduct policy of the Academy, along with being a gross dereliction of the high level of moral character the Academy expects from its faculty.The Academy’s primary concern is to foster a safe and caring environment for all of its students, in which they can flourish personally and academically. The Academy, therefore, has undertaken a full review of its policies to determine what, if anything, needs to be done to further ensure the safety of our students. In the spirit of Islamic teachings, we offer prayers for the well-being of all our students, current and former.
“The idea that they didn’t know about this is preposterous,” said Mager.
The attorneys allege Nur-Ul-Islam Academy officials knew of Ahmed’s illegal conduct for years and did nothing until now.
“They knew in 2008. What do they do? Absolutely nothing, expect accuse the kid of doing it. What do they do, they blame, they cover up, they don’t tell the parents,” Mager said.
Pembroke Pines Police are currently looking for Ahmed who allegedly fled the jurisdiction after he was made aware of his pending charges.
The attorneys for the two students are asking anyone who may have information as to where Ahmed might be to contact Pembroke Pines Police immediately.
