Lexington Park, MD— On June 17, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Dfc. Merritt made contact with a juvenile victim who reported she was sexually assaulted.
The victim was interviewed and stated during the afternoon hours of June 15 she was at a friends home in Lexington Park and had a dispute with her friend. After the argument she (victim) no longer wanted to stay at the friend’s residence, so she contacted the defendant.
The defendant was identified as Gohar T. Shaaban, 23, of Lexington Park. Shaaban responded to her friend’s residence and transported her to his residence located at Park Hall Road in Lexington Park.
The victim advised, “She stayed the night at Shaaban’s residence and was sleeping in sweatpants, underwear, bra, and shirt. At approximately 3 a.m. on June 16, the victim was woken by Shaaban’s hand touching her vagina beneath her underwear,” according to charging documents.
The victim stated she was too terrified to scream or speak, so pretended she was still sleeping. She rolled away from Shaaban ending the sexual assault. On June 29, contact was made with Shaaban at his residence.
Shaaban was read his Miranda Rights, which he advised he understood and agreed to answer questions. Shaaban admitted to providing marijuana to the victim and smoking it with her. Shaaban also admitted to rubbing the victim’s vagina beneath her clothing for approximately two minutes while the victim was sleeping.
During the interview, Shaaban denied penetration of the victim’s vagina and or any other sexual assaults. According to charging documents, “Shaaban claims he stopped rubbing her vagina after he asked her several times if she was awake with no response and he knew his actions were wrong.”
Shaaban advised the victim has never given any verbal or written indications whatsoever she wanted to have sexual intercourse with him and or engage in sexual activity with him. According to charging documents, “Shaaban also advised he is employed as a school bus driver and met the victim through her friend’s mother, who is also a school bus driver.”
Shaaban has been charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree sexual offense – sexual contact.
At this time Shaaban does not a scheduled court date. Shaaban faces a maximum jail sentence of 11 years and or a maximum fine of $3,500.
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