Howard County police have charged a former liquor store clerk with sexually assaulting a female customer on Christmas Eve, while he was working. Mohan Prasad, 42, of Lowander Lane in Silver Spring, was charged with third- and fourth-degree sex offenses, and solicitation of prostitution.
Earlier this month, a 23-year-old woman reported to police that she was sexually assaulted by a clerk, later identified as Prasad, at JJ Liquors in Ellicott City. Police began investigating and learned that Prasad, who was alone in the store, engaged the victim in small talk about the store’s inventory and then invited her to accompany him to a walk-in cooler for samples. Prasad then began to sexually assault the victim and offered her money to perform sex acts, which she refused. When the victim tried to leave, he continued to sexually assault her.
Detectives have confirmed the events of the report through video and physical evidence at the scene. The store management immediately fired Prasad upon learning of the incident and has been cooperating with police.
The investigation resulted in an arrest warrant for Prasad, who turned himself in to police last week. He has been released from the Howard County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.
Detectives are asking for the public’s help to determine if anyone else may have been victimized by Prasad. They are asking anyone with information to contact police at 410-313-STOP or email HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.
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