Hamtramck student alleges he was sexually assaulted by school employee, a Dem activist

Niraj Warikoo | Detroit Free Press

A student at a Hamtramck high school testified Thursday that a school employee who's also a Democratic community activist engaged in oral sex with him in a car outside the school.

The student spoke at a preliminary hearing in 31st District Court in Hamtramck in the case of Ibrahim Aljahim, 37, who was charged last month by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree with an 18-year-old victim who is mentally disabled. The morning of Sept. 18, officials at Oakland International Academy's high school in Hamtramck contacted Hamtramck Police about the alleged incidents, said prosecutors.

In court Thursday before Judge Alexis Krot, the student testified under questioning by Nida Samona, assistant Wayne County prosecutor, and Roger Farinha, an attorney representing Aljahim.

The student said that Aljahim, the school's community liaison, performed oral sex on him and he performed oral sex on Aljahim.

After the hearing, Farinha strongly disputed the allegations, telling the Free Press that Aljahim did not commit sexual misconduct and in fact was trying to help the alleged male victim, who Farinha said was previously abused by other students. According to Farinha, some students had exposed the alleged victim's private areas and took photos that they later circulated.

Farinha said that Aljahim then reported those incidents to the school principal, Larry Cowger.

Aljahim then also reported stories that he himself was involved in a sexual act with the victim, Farinha said.

"Ibrahim did his job in protecting the children," Farinha said after the hearing.

The courtroom was filled Thursday with family and supporters of both Aljahim and the student alleging the crimes.

More: Hamtramck community leader and school employee charged with sexually assaulting student

Aljahim is well-known among elected officials and the media in metro Detroit. On his social media pages, he has photos of himself with a range of elected officials and government leaders, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former Sen. Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, state Rep. Issac Robinson, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, among others.

Aljahim campaigned last month with Bernie Sanders during Sanders' campaign stop in Hamtramck.

During the hearing Thursday, the student testified that in a separate incident, another student had removed his pants, exposing him, and took a photograph of his privates.

Farinha argued that incident was what led to false allegations of his client having sex in the car. During the hearing, video was shown of Aljahim and the student in and outside the school during various moments the morning of the alleged incident.

Farinha said the video and testimony shows that there would not be enough time for a sexual act to have taken place in the car. The student testified that he was "coughing up hair" after the alleged assault.

The student also testified about how his Islamic religious faith and the Quran compel him to obey his elders.

Aljahim is the school's community liaison and got the job because he was seen as well-connected in the Yemeni American community of Hamtramck, said school officials. A majority of the school's population has Yemeni ancestry, the school's dean of students, Ahmed Hariri, testified Thursday.

Wayne County prosecutors said in a statement that the victim was mentally disabled and that Aljahim was "in a position of authority over the victim."

The preliminary exam will continue at 11 a.m. Thursday with the expected testimony of police officers. After the hearing, Krot will decide whether there is enough evidence to bound over the case for trial to Wayne County Circuit Court.

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792, Twitter @nwarikoo