Restaurant Owner Accused of Sexually Battering Teen

SARASOTA, FL — A 45-year-old Sarasota man faces sexual battery charges after an October incident involving a 16-year-old girl who worked for him at Inkanto, a Peruvian restaurant on Tamiami Trail.

According to the Sarasota Police Department, detectives were notified of a possible sexual battery on a minor on Oct. 15. A 16-year-old girl reported to police that her employer, Fernando A. Palomino engaged in sexual contact with her against her will, a probable cause affidavit stated. The incident in question allegedly occurred at the 4141 S. Tamiami Trail restaurant around 1:30 p.m. that day.

According to the report, the girl had recently begun working at the restaurant and said Palomino “became flirtatious with her and told her that he was a massage therapist.” The girl said Palomino attempted to massage her back on several occasions, but she refused. On Oct. 15, however, the girl said Palomino’s wife left the restaurant and Palomino proceeded to lock the front doors and then started massaging her shoulders. The incident allegedly escalated from there.

Palomino, who was identified as the restaurant's owner in the report, has been charged with three counts of sexual battery. Detectives believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call Det. Dustin Luciano at 941-363-5827.

Palomino with originally charged with one count of sexual battery on Oct. 16. Two additional sexual battery charges were added on Nov. 9, according to jail records. His arrest was announced Nov. 18.

Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department