A man who managed a Northern Virginia Chick-fil-A is accused of sexually assaulting one of his juvenile employees at the Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax County, where the restaurant is located.
Abelardo Daniel Medianero Salazar, 32, is facing charges of solicitation and taking indecent liberties with a minor.
A search warrant affidavit lays out the allegations. It started with Medianero Salazar asking one of his employees — a juvenile female — for nude photos.
She resisted at first. Worried she'd lose her job, she eventually sent a waist-up shot. Then the demands got worse, authorities say. He allegedly started texting her on multiple occasions, asking her to meet him for sex. She turned him down and kept quiet about the solicitations.
"It was difficult for her to come forward becuase she was scared of losing her job," said 2nd Lt. Jane Burns of Fairfax County Police.
But then, the affidavit alleges, Medianero Salazar allegedly took the girl into a hallway behind the Chick-fil-A restaurant and sexually assaulted her. She contacted police.
"He's managing a number of juveniles, so it's very important for her to be brave enough to come forward and we really appreciate it," Burns said. "We could potentially find other victims. We don't have any indications right now that's there other victims, but ... it's the first thing we look into."
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Police gathered evidence in the hallway where the assault allegedly took place and made an arrest soon after.
They urge other juveniles to come forward if someone solicits them in texts, online or in person for nude photos or sex.
"Just requesting sending nude pictures is a crime, or requesting to have sexual contact with a juvenile is a crime," Burns said.
News4 is awaiting a response from Medianero Salazar's defense attorney.
"I am deeply troubled by these allegations, and we are working closely with local law enforcement as they investigate the situation. The safety of our team members and guests is a top priority, and the employee in question is no longer working at Chick-fil-A Fair Oaks Mall," Chick-fil-A Fair Oaks Mall Franchise Operator Joe Emma said.
Medianero Salazar, of Falls Church, was arrested May 23. He is being held without bond.
