Aqeel Ahmad, of Selden, charged with Illegal surveillance of 13-year-old girl, police say

A Selden man, who works for Eastern Suffolk BOCES, is facing unlawful surveillance charges after he allegedly used his cellphone to take pictures under a 13-year-old girl's dress last week, Suffolk County police said.

On Oct. 19 around 2 p.m., the girl was browsing greeting cards at a Selden Target when Aqeel Ahmad, 53, bent down and used his cellphone to take pictures under her dress, police said.

The girl's father witnessed the alleged incident and approached the man, who immediately fled on foot, police said. The father then reported the incident to the police.

Following an investigation, police arrested Ahmad, who was sitting in his car near his home, on Tuesday evening, police said. .

In a statement, Eastern Suffolk BOCES Chief Operating Officer David Wicks confirmed that Ahmad works as a special education aide at the Brookhaven Learning Center.

"We condemn the abhorrent crimes of which he is accused," Wicks said. "Mr. Ahmad was not on campus today, has been placed on leave, is prohibited from all BOCES property, and has had no contact with students since his arrest."

Ahmad was charged with second-degree unlawful surveillance and endangering the welfare of a child, police said. 

He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday in Central Islip through his attorney and an interpreter.

The crime was not bail eligible, but he was released under supervision with a GPS monitor and sex offender conditions, including staying away from schools or places that care for children. He was also ordered to surrender his passport.

Prosecutors at his arraignment said Ahmad gave "a full written confession, describing his lust for American women."

Ahmad has no previous criminal history and has two grown children, his attorney, M.J. Giasullo said.

Ahmad's attorney and family declined to comment after the arraignment.

With Robert Brodsky