(WWJ) The owner of a Sterling Heights Jimmy John franchise has agreed to pay $1.4 million to a mentally and physically challenged teenager who was sexually assaulted by a convicted sex offender working at the restaurant.
The lawsuit claimed the defendants, Turner Services Group, knew that Jerry Brown-Pegues, who allegedly raped the girl in 2020, was on parole for sexual assault when they hired him, and numerous complaints were made to human resources about his inappropriate comments and behavior.
According to the lawsuit, Pegues made sexual advances toward the 17-year-old victim, a Wayne County resident, including asking her to have sex with him. After she refused, the suit said Pegues became insistent and forced the teen into a storage room in the sub shop where raped her, "resulting in physical injuries and severe emotional distress."
"Because of her special needs, obviously it's very difficult for her to fully understand why this man did this to her, Many rape victims, they blame themselves," the plaintiff's attorney, Ven Johnson, told WWJ's Ron Dewey when the suit was filed. "She did nothing wrong. She went to work and this guy took her in the room and obviously forced himself on her, and it's absolutely despicable misconduct."
Johnson said he hopes this case will send a strong message to employers that they will be held responsible for the actions of those they choose to hire.
Meanwhile, Brown-Pegues, 37, is facing a criminal charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony. He awaits a preliminary exam pending in 41A District Court.
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