Bridgeport Furniture Store Owner Convicted in Customer Groping Case

This blog post digs into a Bridgeport court case where a local furniture store owner was convicted of multiple sexual offenses. He lured customers to a basement with promises of special deals, then assaulted them. The verdict, the judge’s actions, and the victims’ stories made this a major trial that echoed across Connecticut, from Bridgeport to Hartford and all sorts of places in between.

Verdict and court action in Bridgeport

In Bridgeport, a six-member jury found 64-year-old Salem Hennawi guilty on several charges after a days-long trial. Victims described visits to his store in 2019, 2020, and 2021, where he led them to a basement and tied them to a mattress in a far corner.

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The courtroom heard stories of fingering and groping. One woman described physically resisting and a tense confrontation that left her feeling “icky.”

Judge Kevin C. Doyle sent Hennawi to jail overnight and raised his bond to $200,000. Sentencing is set for May 18.

Release conditions and further detention will depend on whether he posts bond. Prosecutors Candace Solis and Justina Moore led the case, trying to show a pattern of behavior behind the charges.

By the way, the article was updated to correct a prosecutor’s first name and to credit Ethan Fry of Hearst Connecticut for reporting on the case.

What the jury decided

Two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault
One count of third-degree sexual assault
One count of unlawful restraint
Acquittal on one count of third-degree sexual assault

Victim testimony and the case timeline

Witnesses testified about separate encounters during three visits to Hennawi’s shop. Victims said he asked them to sit on a mattress in a secluded basement area as part of a sales pitch that quickly turned coercive.

One woman remembered Hennawi’s flushed face, sweating, and darting eyes during the assault. Another said she had to raise her voice and physically push back as his hand moved toward her chest and then lower.

One victim didn’t report the incident at first, but she came forward after hearing about his arrest. She’d bought a mattress from Hennawi after getting a free cover and a discount, but later threw it out because the whole thing left her feeling “icky.”

The witnesses’ statements made up the backbone of the prosecution’s case, showing a disturbing sequence of events that prosecutors tied to the charges.

Community impact and broader CT context

Across Connecticut, from Stamford and Norwalk to New Haven, Waterbury, Danbury, and Hartford, people watched the Bridgeport trial and worried about safety and trust in local businesses. The case even sparked conversations in smaller towns like Milford and Glastonbury, making folks wonder how these crimes could pop up during everyday shopping.

Law enforcement officials stressed the need to believe victims and report anything suspicious, hoping to protect customers in stores all over the state.

Next steps in the court process

Sentencing is set for May 18. Hennawi could face several penalties, depending on which counts led to conviction.

The court plans to review release conditions before sentencing. They’ll also decide if Hennawi needs extra supervision during this period.

This case reminds Connecticut residents—from Bridgeport to New Britain—that the justice system keeps pursuing accountability for sexual offenses and unlawful restraint. That’s especially true when the alleged crimes happen in a business and involve customer trust.

We’ve covered local courtrooms for years, and we’ll keep following this Bridgeport case. Expect more updates for folks in Stamford, Norwalk, Hamden, and nearby towns.

The trial really highlighted how vital victims’ testimony can be in building a case. People in Connecticut want the process to stay thorough, fair, and open—no shortcuts.

Here is the source article for this story: Bridgeport furniture store owner convicted of groping customers

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