By admin 
The leader of a small private school and nonprofit organization in Columbia has been charged with criminal sexual conduct and assault, according to online court records.
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Louai Elkhatib, 55, the listed CEO and treasurer of Mission Hope Foundation, has been charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and four counts of assault and battery in the first degree. He was arrested Monday and charges were filed Tuesday.
The Mission Hope Foundation runs the Islamic Academy of Columbia, a private school, as well as a mosque. It is located on Kneece Road off Decker Boulevard.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, a victim reported June 30 sexual assaults by Elkhatib that they said spanned years. During an investigation, four more victims came forward with reports of sexual assault, the sheriff’s department said.
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Officials said Elkhatib would use his position as the Iman at the mosque and administrator of the school to hold power over the alleged victims during the sexual assault if they attempted to refuse.
The sheriff’s department said it believes there may be more victims.
Elkhatib is currently being held at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. His bond hearing was scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m.
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