Court drops charges against Smokedale Tobacco owner

Washington County Attorney Peter Orput has dismissed several charges of criminal sexual conduct filed against Smokedale Tobacco owner Hatem Amin Younis, 39, of Minneapolis.

Three female customers had alleged that Younis groped their breasts in March, June, July and August of last year, and the county attorney subsequently filed charges against him in each of the cases.

However, investigation into the customers' allegations showed there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the cases, according to the May 13 dismissal document written by Orput.

He also said the investigation of the Oakdale Police Department, interviews with the complainants and information submitted by Younis' defense attorney led to all the charges being dropped.

Younis' attorney, Carl J. Newquist of Newquist and Herrick Law Offices in Fridley, said they were able to obtain surveillance video from a system located in the storage area of Smokedale Tobacco where one the purported offenses occurred.

"To put it gently, the video recordings did not match the description of events as given by the alleged victim," Newquist said.

He added that there was additional "photographic evidence" submitted to the Washington County Attorney that corroborated Younis' testimony about the alleged incidents.

"We're just very, very happy (that) after a long and careful review that went on for a number of months that these cases have been dismissed," Newquist said.

In an interview last week, Younis said he wants to put the experience behind him.

"It was a horrible situation, but finally the Oakdale Police Department found the truth and dismissed the case," he said.

"I want it to be history. I just want to explain to my customers, the city that here is the truth."

• The first dismissed charges were fourth-degree criminal sex conduct. In March of 2010, a female customer reported an alleged assault at the business.

• Younis faced the same charges for an alleged incident in August 2010 and they were also dismissed.

In this case, a 45-year-old female had purchased merchandise at the store on Aug. 18, and after the transaction she claimed Younis assaulted her.

• Charges in the last case, this time involving fifth-degree criminal sex conduct, were also dismissed. Police said a 23-year-old woman reported an alleged assault by Younis took place sometime between June 30 and July 10, 2010, but she waited until Aug. 1 to file a report.