​Man Charged With Attempted Sexual Assault Of Minor: Greenwich PD

GREENWICH, CT — A 41-year-old school cafeteria worker is being charged with criminal attempt at sexual assault after police said he sent inappropriate text messages and tried to meet up with a minor in Greenwich.

Rashad Tao Salaam, of Bridgeport, was charged with criminal attempt at sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16; second-degree criminal attempt at sexual assault; and criminal attempt at enticing a minor by computer, according to a news release from the Greenwich Police Department. Police noted that the accused had access to children through his employment in a school cafeteria. In order to protect the identity of the victim, no further information on the school will be provided.

Police said the department was made aware that an adult male was sending inappropriate text messages to a 13-year-old female.

"During the course of a week-long investigation, detectives from the GPD Special Victims Section posed as the juvenile victim. The suspect, aware that the original recipient was a 13-year old female, attempted to entice the juvenile to engage in illegal sexual activity," police said in a news release Monday. "The suspect continued to send sexually explicit messages and photographs to the recipient. The accused finally attempted to set up a meeting with the juvenile."

Police said on Aug. 13 around 3 p.m. GPD detectives performed an undercover operation in Greenwich by meeting Salaam at an agreed upon location. Police said Salaam arrived at the location and was "placed under arrest without incident."

Salaam was held on a $650,000 bond, and was scheduled to appear in court Monday, police said.

"We would like to recognize the parents of the juvenile victim for monitoring their child’s online activity and phone contacts and bringing this matter to us for investigation. Our Special Victims Section detectives conducted a complex and sensitive investigation expertly and professionally and ensured that an alleged sexual predator in our community will face justice," Capt. Robert Berry said in a news release. "We ask that all parents periodically check the cell phones and online activities of their children and ensure that children understand what is appropriate to share and when to bring matters to parental attention. People of all ages should be cautious of what they share online and be certain with whom they are communicating. No one should ever arrange a meeting in person with a stranger."