Posted on 07/16/2002 7:52:44 AM PDT by The Energizer
Man accused of sexually assaulting girl out on bond
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
By VICTOR A. HILL, vahill@naplesnews.com
A man police say sexually molested a 12-year-old girl and held her against her will Saturday at a resort on Marco Island was released on bond Monday afternoon, despite a recommendation from Marco police that bond be denied.
Collier County Circuit Judge Ted Brousseau set a $50,000 bond for Farouk Murad, 66, at a hearing Monday and Farouk posted $50,000 in cash Monday afternoon, Collier County sheriff's officials said.
Murad was charged early Sunday with lewd lascivious battery-sexual act with a person 12-15 years old and kidnapping/false imprisonment of a child under 13 years old-lewd assault. Brousseau's decision surprised Marco police Detective Kevin Hennings, who is investigating the incident.
Because of the nature of the charges and the fact that Murad has no local address, police recommended he not be released on bond, Hennings said.
Additional charges may be filed, but Hennings fears Murad may leave the country. Police and sheriff's officials say the only address they have for Murad is in Saudi Arabia. Collier County property records show Murad sold his 940 Tulip Court home on Marco last month. His only other address is listed on an arrest report as P.O. Box 3737, Ryadh, Saudi Arabia.
"That's always a concern when he's a foreign national," Hennings said. "I don't know where he is, but I'll find him."
Brousseau couldn't be reached for comment. Murad also couldn't be reached for comment. The arrest report indicates Murad is a retired employee of the United Nations.
Police said the girl's mother contacted police about the incident Sunday.
Murad, a longtime friend of the girl's family, was staying at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort over the weekend and took the girl and her 10- and 8-year-old brothers to his room, reports said. The boys left the room to get ice, and Murad kissed and groped the girl, reports said. When the boys returned, they knocked on the door, but Murad didn't answer, reports state. Hilton officials say Murad is no longer registered at the hotel.
The girl ran away and called her mother, police said. In a later interview with police, the girl said Murad tried to persuade her to undress, and he kissed and touched her.
Murad's arraignment is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 12, at 8:45 a.m.
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
By VICTOR A. HILL, Staff Writer
Marco Island firefighters have brand new weapons to combat terrorism, but they don't come with ammunition.
The department received several high-tech gadgets last week to detect potentially dangerous chemicals. Marco shared a $173,000 portion of a far larger $9.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice with two other fire districts in Collier County — Naples and North Naples.
The departments make up a district response team for terrorism in Collier County, and equipment from the grant was split among the three departments. Radiation detectors, laptop computers, electronic chemical detectors and a decontamination system are some of the items the team received.
Marco received about $71,000 worth of equipment, Fire Chief Michael Murphy said.
"But that's just the first step.
We may get $50,000 more for the district," he said.
It took six months to get the equipment as state officials worked to ensure every agency received the same types of equipment. That means firefighters and rescue workers from more than one department can work more efficiently together at emergency scenes, Murphy said.
Unlike the Geiger counters from the days of the Cold War, the new radiation detectors are far more sophisticated, he said.
Firefighters also have radiation detectors that resemble pagers.
The pagers are worn at hazardous scenes, and they sound an alarm if radiation levels go above a certain limit, Division Chief Chris Byrne said.
Chemical detectors will be used to quickly determine a suspect chemical's composition using computer software and data from around the world.
A mobile weather station was also included with the equipment.
The largest piece of equipment the department received is a mobile casualty decontamination system. The system is stored in a trailer and transforms into a decontamination shelter at scenes involving chemical spills. It essentially allows people exposed to chemicals to be disinfected, Murphy said.
The system augments the equipment the department already has.
"This equipment is specifically designed for hazardous materials, and Marco has (a team) proven in aiding residents in times of need," he said.
Thirteen of Marco's 25 firefighters are certified to deal with hazardous chemicals.
Murphy is chairman of a state committee on terrorism that worked to get federal money long before the Sept. 11 attacks.
Prior to Sept. 11, Florida was one of only two states approved for grant money from the Department of Justice, and one of only four states with a plan to deal with terrorism.
This may be the thread that has a tie to the judge.
as my memory has it, the judge is partners with the suspects attorney, maybe in an airplane.............
I have always intended to see if the names came up on the Terri Schvigo case.(sp?)
Hi I am the girl this article is talking about. I cant believe that there are actually comments out there like these:
“Mr. Maresca has a lousy case, he can’t prove Mr. Murad did anything illegal, and this is the way Mr. Maresca has chosen to punish Mr. Murad,” Berry said.
He did more than just sexually molest me. Now at 20, I am able to recognize that. Jerry Berry is a Jerk. He threw every question in the book at me as if I was some sort of liar. I didnt even know what sex was back then. I just wanted the questioning to stop. I was a 12 year old girl that looked about 8 for heavens sake.. The man is a pervert. We used to have family gatherings at his house most summers.. He was always extra affectionate with me. How was I supposed to know this is what would eventually happen.
I knew going to the police was pointless. My mother is a criminologist. If theres anything I knew back then.. it was that no justice would ever come of the situation. Jerry Berry knew of his plans to leave the country. Murad announced it the day of his arrest. Point proven.
I know right? And this guy is loaded. He had a house in a number of places in the states at one point actually. My mother did everything in her power to help the situation. There was definitely some sort of deal between the judge and Jerry Berry. No doubt in my mind. Im glad they allowed bail after Farouk had announced his plans for departure. Lovely. Of course, nothing ever came of this case. Typical.
How much “inside info” are you looking for. I know its 8 years later but I still remember.
this case has nothing to to with islam and everything to do with child molesters and perverted men
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