Landlord accused of fondling tenants' children out on bond

Raleigh, N.C. — A registered Raleigh sex offender arrested on charges he fondled children of tenants to whom he rented houses is out on bond.

Wake County Jail officials said Michael Assaad Lahoud, 42, of 1905 Grove Point Court, was released from jail on Saturday.

Lahoud, arrested Sept. 25, faces nine counts of taking indecent liberties with a child for alleged crimes dating back approximately eight years.

According to a Sept. 11 search warrant for Lahoud's home, investigators spoke to four people who claim Lahoud either fondled them or forced them to touch him on as many as five occasions.

The allegations occurred when the victims, now ranging in age from 12 to 18 years old, were as young as 7 years old.

According to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, Lahoud was convicted in February 2002 of one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor and sentenced to probation for a year.

In December 2004, he was convicted on three counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor (dating back to March 1992, July 1998 and June 2002) and was sentenced to two years' probation.

Court records also indicate Lahoud was arrested in November 1994 on an indecent liberties with a child charge, but it was dismissed in 1996.