Refugee, 24, who worked alongside US troops in Afghanistan is convicted of sexually assaulting girl, 3, while they were both housed at Quantico after being evacuated to America when the Taliban took over

  An Afghan refugee has been convicted of sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at Quantico Marine Corps Base following their evacuation...

 An Afghan refugee has been convicted of sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at Quantico Marine Corps Base following their evacuation from Afghanistan.

The federal jury in US District Court in Alexandria on Friday found Mohammed Tariq, 24, guilty of abusive sexual contact.

Tariq was arrested in September at Camp Upshur in Quantico after Marines observed him fondling the girl, who was not related to him, above her clothes on her private parts. 

Both Tariq, the victim and her family had recently been evacuated from Afghanistan and brought to the United States during the country's takeover by the Taliban.

An Afghan refugee has been convicted of sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl at Quantico Marine Corps Base following their evacuation from Afghanistan

According to court papers, Tariq tried to explain through interpreters that his conduct was acceptable in his culture. Efforts to have his statements suppressed were rejected by the judge.

Tariq could face a maximum term of life in prison, although sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

According to AP News, Tariq was brought to Virginia after working alongside US troops in Afghanistan.

'This case is indicative of law enforcement's commitment to ensure the safety of immigrant and refugee members of our community,' said Jessica D. Aber, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia whose office prosecuted the case. 

'People who come to our country seeking haven from tyranny and terrorism deserve to live here in safety. 

'It is the resilience and courage of the victim and her family in speaking out against this offender that is truly emblematic of the contributions refugees and immigrants make to our country.'

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and a Human Trafficking Task Force of FBI agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

He will be sentenced on April 26.