A security guard who was working at a Boston store has been indicted on charges that he choked and punched an 11-year-old shoplifter last summer.
Mohammad Khan, 36, of Cambridge, is charged with assault and battery on a child under 14 and a civil rights violation. His employer, Securitas Security Services USA Inc. of New Jersey, was also indicted on the same two charges.
According to the Suffolk District Attorney's Office, Khan used "excessive and unreasonable force" to detain the 11-year-old girl, who admitted taking several articles of clothing valued at $175 from the Irish clothing retailer Primark in Downtown Crossing on June 9.
Khan allegedly grabbed the girl, pulled her back into the store and pushed her into a corner, obstructing the view of the store's security camera. Over a seven minute period, the 6'1", 225 pound Khan grabbed the girl by the head and neck and threw her to the ground. He allegedly punched her in the face while straddling her as she was on the ground and continued struggling with her even after being separated by Boston police.
All of this happened as his Securitas co-workers and passersby urged him to stop.
Prosecutors said further investigation found that Khan had been reprimanded at least four times previously for using more force than permitted by Securitas and for violating protocol.
Securitas Security Services USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Securitas AB, one of the world's largest security firms.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Because of her age, the girl involved was not charged with shoplifting.
Khan and Securitas are scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Dec. 17.
