LA PLATA, Md. — A Huntingtown man is facing assault and sex offense charges after a teenage restaurant employee alleged he repeatedly subjected her to unwanted touching and inappropriate physical contact while they worked together at a La Plata restaurant over several months, according to court documents.
Manolo Calderon, 66, of Huntingtown, was charged in the District Court for Charles County with second-degree assault and fourth-degree sex offense involving sexual contact. The charges were filed on July 21, 2026, through a Statement of Charges (SOC) application.
According to the application for statement of charges, the La Plata Police Department responded at approximately 6:15 p.m. on July 21 to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office District 1 station to investigate allegations of a sexual assault that had reportedly occurred earlier this year at a restaurant in La Plata.
The complainant, identified in court records as an underage employee, told investigators she had worked at the restaurant since March 2026 and that Calderon had served as a manager approximately four times between March and June. She alleged the unwanted conduct began on the first shift they worked together.
According to charging documents, the teen alleged Calderon routinely found reasons to touch her while they worked, gave her a nickname and repeatedly asked her to add him on social media and send him photos, despite her repeated refusals. The complainant alleged Calderon was aware that she was underage.
The complainant further alleged Calderon frequently rubbed her back, hugged her from behind while they worked and placed his hands low on her back. She also told investigators Calderon whispered in her ear that they could “break the rules.”
Court documents state the teen also alleged Calderon hugged her from behind on multiple occasions, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his body against hers. She reported that during one encounter, he kissed her on the forehead.
According to the application, the complainant further alleged Calderon placed his hands on or near her breasts and, on another occasion, pressed his groin against her while hugging her from behind. She told investigators she repeatedly moved away from Calderon and attempted to avoid him whenever possible.
The teen also alleged Calderon attempted to kiss her, repeatedly asked her to meet outside of work after she refused and, on one occasion, touched a necklace she was wearing before brushing his hand against her breast. She said the repeated conduct made her uncomfortable and caused her to avoid being alone with him.
According to court documents, the complainant reported the alleged incidents to other restaurant managers on multiple occasions. According to the charging documents, she alleged management largely dismissed her concerns, telling her she was simply “overreacting.” She said she did not initially report the allegations to law enforcement because she did not want to cause a problem.
Investigators later contacted Calderon by telephone.
According to the charging documents, Calderon denied the allegations and told police he had already been terminated from the restaurant because of the accusations. He acknowledged what he described as developing a friendship with the complainant. Calderon also told investigators he was 66 years old, had grandchildren around the complainant’s age and would never engage in sexual conduct with someone of that age.
Based on the investigation, police sought charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree sex offense involving sexual contact.
A summons was issued July 21, 2026. Court records show Calderon is scheduled for a trial on Sept. 16, 2026, in the Charles County District Court.
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