MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A man who Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputies said is known as a “trusted member of the community” was arrested last week on accusations that he kissed a minor multiple times.
According to his arrest report, Yona Lunger, whose legal name is Shaya Lunger, was at a 15-year-old girl’s northeast Miami-Dade home last month when he entered her bedroom, closed the door and told her to “put away her sexy things,” referring to her breast area.
Deputies said the 54-year-old then hugged the victim and kissed her multiple times.
According to the report, after kissing the teen near her lips, Lunger asked the girl to kiss him back and then left her room.
Deputies said he had also expressed a desire for the victim to turn 18 during multiple interactions with her.
Lunger was arrested March 25 on a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child under 16.
Detectives said he denied the allegations and told them “it is all a lie.”
While the arrest report does not list Lunger’s occupation, records show a Shaya Y. Lunger is the registered agent of the Chesed of South Florida nonprofit.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Lunger was no longer appearing in the Miami-Dade Corrections online inmate database.
Bruce Lehr, Lunger’s attorney, said in a statement to Local 10 News, “My client looks forward to the true facts coming out. In reality, this is a prime example of no good deed goes unpunished.”
Detectives are asking anyone who was victimized by Lunger to contact the MDSO Special Victims Bureau at 305-715-3300. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
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