Quran instructor arrested, accused of sexually abusing girls in Tigard

Article from KATU.com.

TIGARD, Ore. – A Corvallis man who taught private Quran lessons has been arrested for sex abuse.

Muhammad L. Hasan, 50, was arrested this week on eight counts of sexual abuse by Tigard Police. He was lodged in the Washington County Jail.

Police said they arrested Hasan at his residence in Corvallis without incident. He was indicted last week by a Washington County Grand Jury.

Tigard police say two girls reported abuse they say began in 2016 when they were clients of Hasan at his Tigard business.

Hasan operated an American Islamic Center for the Holy Qur’an, which provided private instruction on the Quran.

“I think it’s been there at least two years,” said Scott Fenton who works at a business across the street from the facility, “He was teaching kids, anywhere from probably 7 or 8 years old to probably 13 or 14 years old, I’d say. I’d see the parents come in, drop the kids off, come back and pick them up. Seems to me they’d have classes late in the afternoons occasionally and on Saturdays.”

The business operated out of a storefront at 11505 Southwest Pacific Highway in Tigard.

According to a grand jury indictment filed Wednesday, the alleged abuse began in April 2016 with the most recent incident in September of this year.

Hasan allegedly repeatedly kissed one of the victims on the mouth and touched the second victim’s breasts.

“We believe that the suspect had endless opportunity and access to countless victims,” said Tigard police spokesman Jim Wolf.

Hasan pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday on 6 counts of first-degree sex abuse and one count of third-degree sex abuse. His bail was set at $150,000 and he’s due back in court Jan. 16, 2018.

Anyone with information should call 503-718-2677 or email tips@tigard-or.gov.

If you or someone you care about was sexually abused and you would like advice from an attorney about the rights and options for victims of child sexual abuse, please contact Crew Janci today for a free, confidential consultation at 1-888-407-0224 or by using our private online form.  We will treat you with discretion and respect.

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