LOGAN — Police have arrested a 19-year-old Logan man and are searching for two others accused of sexually harassing a woman for several years. The incidents reportedly occurred at a Logan restaurant where the four were employed.
According to jail records, Sawal Sawal was booked April 24 into the Cache County Jail, following an investigation by the Logan City Police Department. Several days later, a judge issued arrest warrants for the two other suspects, Santosh Tiwary, 41, and Kumar Akshat, 29.
The cases against the three men began in August 2024, when the alleged victim reported years of being sexually assaulted and verbally berated. Most of the incidents occurred in the kitchen area of the restaurant outside the view of customers, according to arrest affidavits.
The woman told police how the three men allegedly would often touch her buttocks or squeeze her breasts while she would be cleaning or doing dishes. At other times, they made unwanted sexual advances, attempting to kiss her, or talk and joke about her body.
The alleged victim said she was afraid to report the abuse because even though she is in the country legally on a work visa, she feared that if she did not work at the restaurant, then she would be deported. The incidents reportedly occurred over two years until she was able to find a new job, according to court paperwork.
The woman provided police officers with several videos of some of the alleged incidents. She also claimed to have reported the abuse to her boss, who never intervened to stop the behavior.
According to court records, the three men are facing various felonies, including forcible sexual abuse and distribution of pornography, along with misdemeanors for assault and sexual solicitation.
Sawal appeared May 5 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He is scheduled to appear again May 12, when he will decide whether or not to exercise his right for a preliminary hearing.
Law enforcement believe Akshat moved out of the state and is currently living in Beaverton, Oregon. Tiwary left the area to visit his home country for an extended stay.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.