Worshippers at a Jamaica mosque are reeling after a 55-year-old religious leader was arrested on accusations that he repeatedly groped a 10-year-old girl inside Masjid Bilal between April 21 and April 27, according to prosecutors. The allegations have rattled the congregation and prompted detectives to ask the public for information.
Tajul Islam, 55, was charged with sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child after prosecutors allege he touched the girl’s chest and inner thighs on four separate occasions inside Masjid Bilal at 121-03 Sutphin Blvd. The details of the alleged incidents are laid out in a criminal complaint, as reported by PIX11.
Arrest, arraignment and bail
The Queens Child Abuse Squad arrested Islam after the victim reported the alleged abuse, and he later pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, according to reporting. He was released on $25,000 bail and is due back in court on Friday, as detailed by AOL.
Police are asking for other victims
Detectives say they believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to contact the NYPD Sex Crimes Hotline at 1-212-267-7273 or 1-646-610-7272. Those phone numbers were included in local reporting of the case, and investigators say they are following up on leads. As noted by PIX11, police are encouraging witnesses to come forward and speak with detectives.
Legal next steps
Under New York law, forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor that can carry up to one year behind bars, while separate sexual-abuse and child-endangerment counts can carry heavier penalties depending on the evidence and charges. A conviction involving a minor can also lead to a SORA registration hearing or registration under state law. For the statute on forcible touching, see Justia, and for SORA see FindLaw. Prosecutors will now prepare the case for the court; the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
