Manolo Calderon, 66, of Huntingtown, has been charged with second-degree assault and a fourth-degree sex offense involving alleged sexual contact with a 17-year-old female employee at a La Plata restaurant.
The misdemeanor charges stem from allegations that Calderon repeatedly hugged, kissed and touched the teen while the two worked together at the Greene Turtle restaurant in La Plata. The charged offenses are listed as occurring March 13, 2026, at the business on St. Mary’s Avenue in La Plata.
The investigation began July 21, 2026, when La Plata Police Department Cpl. Jordan Madison responded to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office District One station for a report involving the teen. The officer later interviewed the teen and her parents at the La Plata Police Department.
The teen told police she began working at the restaurant in March 2026 and that the alleged conduct continued through June 2026. She said she worked with Calderon about four times and believed he showed her favoritism over other employees.
According to the allegations, Calderon gave the teen the nickname “chocolate eyes,” hugged her during shifts and placed his hands low on her back. She also reported that he touched her face and hair while they spoke in the kitchen.
The teen said Calderon asked to follow her on her social media accounts, but she declined because she felt uncomfortable. She reported that during one shift, he approached her from behind and whispered that they could “break the rules.”
She also told police that Calderon knew she worked as a lifeguard and asked her to send him photographs of herself in a bathing suit. She said she did not send any photographs.
In another alleged incident, the teen said Calderon followed her to her vehicle after a late shift, hugged her with his hands placed very low and kissed her on the forehead.
She also described an incident in which Calderon allegedly hugged her from behind and placed his hands on her breasts. The teen said he did not squeeze her breasts but pressed his body against her. She told police she could feel what she described as his “erect penis” pressing against her back.
The teen said Calderon once asked to take a selfie with her. She agreed, but she reported that he kissed her on the cheek as the photograph was taken.
Another alleged incident occurred after the teen cut her finger in the kitchen. She said she asked Calderon to open the manager’s office so she could get a bandage. According to her account, Calderon kissed her injured finger before she applied the bandage and then began playing with her necklace. She said his hand brushed against her breast and made her uncomfortable.
The teen told police that Calderon repeatedly asked her to meet him outside of work, but she declined. She said she complained to restaurant managers several times, but believed they treated her concerns as an overreaction.
She said she never verbally told Calderon to stop, explaining that she did not want conflict or problems at work. She reported that she instead pulled away when he attempted to hug or touch her.
Madison later contacted Calderon by telephone. Calderon said he had been fired from the restaurant because of the allegations. He denied hugging or kissing the teen in the manner she described.
Calderon told the officer that he was 67 years old, had grandchildren near the teen’s age and would not do anything sexual with someone that young. He also said that some of the conduct described by the teen involved greetings common among people from Latin backgrounds.
A criminal summons was issued July 21, 2026. Calderon is scheduled to appear for a preliminary inquiry at 9 a.m. September 14, 2026, in Charles County District Court.
