Local restaurant owner accused of sexually harassing 16-year-old employee

BATON ROUGE - Police have arrested a local business owner after he allegedly made sexual advances toward a teenage girl who worked for him.

According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, 55-year-old Raed Saymeh, owner of Roul's Deli, is accused of harassing a 16-year-old employee.

The victim told police she began working at the restaurant on Plank Road back in January. While she was working there, she says Saymeh would often make inappropriate comments to her. Saymeh's comments allegedly included how he had an inappropriate "dream" about her, that he enjoyed watching her on the store camera and how he imagined she'd be good at giving oral sex.

Saymeh also allegedly sent the teen inappropriate text messages, which included him offering to pay for sex. She added that Saymeh also called her via Facetime on multiple occasions. However, she stopped answering his calls because he kept showing his genitals.

Saymeh was arrested and booked Tuesday on one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Records show Saymeh faced similar charges in 2007, but he pleaded no contest to the reduced charge of misdemeanor simple battery and got a $50 fine. He was also booked on obscenity charges in the 1990s.