DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A prayer leader at an Islamic cultural center in Des Moines has been found not guilty of sexual abuse charges.
Jurors in Polk County District Court returned the verdict Friday for 41-year-old Nermin Spahic. He was charged with third-degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist or clergy.
Spahic became emotional after hearing the verdict.
Spahic, who worked at the Islamic and Culture Center Bosniak, was accused of sexually abusing a woman and her teenage daughter. The women claimed the abuse occurred during a religious ceremony at their house.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours. The judge dismissed one juror earlier Friday after he found the man’s T-shirt inappropriate. An alternate juror replaced him.
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