Religious Leader Charged With Sexually Abusing Johnston Teen and Her Mother During 'Ceremonial Ritual'

A religious leader called by a family to help a teenager with problems has been charged with sexually assaulting the teen and her mother during a ritual ceremony in their home, according to the Johnston Police Department.

Nermin Spahic, 40, of Urbandale was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail on charges of third-degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a clergy. Police said Spahic is an imam -- a Muslim religious leader - at the Islamic and Cultural Center Bosniak. 

According to Lt. Lynn Aswegan with the Johnston Police Department, the incident began at about 10 p.m. Aug. 12 when officers were called to a Johnston home on a report of a sexual assault in progress. The person who called police said she had received text messages from a friend claiming that she was at home with her mother and that both women were being sexually assaulted by a male “priest” at the residence. 

Officers arrived at the house and talked with an 18-year-old female, her 42-year-old mother, and Spahic. The women told officer Spahic is a Muslim imam that the mother had sought out in an attempt to provide some assistance and religious guidance to her teen daughter on personal issues the daughter had been struggling with.

The women reportedly told officers that Spahic came to the Johnston residence and proceeded to perform a ceremonial ritual on them that would alleviate their struggles. The women alleged that during the ensuing ceremony Spahic sexually assaulted both of them. Authorities said Spahic admitted to performing the ceremonies, but denied that any inappropriate or sexual behavior or contact was involved. 

Spahic has been released from jail on bond.