Florence Police Arrest Ichiban Employee Eleazar Hernandez-Trujillo on Sexual Abuse Charges

Florence police detectives, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at Ichiban Japanese restaurant and arrested employee Eleazar Hernandez-Trujillo on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The arrest at the 173 Cox Creek Parkway restaurant adds a criminal investigation to a local workplace and could affect staff trust, patron confidence, and operating routines.

The search warrant was carried out Tuesday, Feb. 3, about 1:00 p.m., at the Ichiban location, according to police accounts. Florence Police Department detectives led the operation and HSI officers assisted. Authorities identified five people of interest during the investigation; Florence Police Spokesperson Joshua Meza said that during the investigation, there were five individuals identified as people of interest, including Hernandez-Trujillo. HSI located the remaining four individuals during the search and took them into custody for their charges, although police did not release their names or the specific charges for those four.

Hernandez-Trujillo was interviewed by detectives at the scene, arrested, and booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Center. Bond for Hernandez-Trujillo was set at $30,000. Police reiterated standard legal protections: “Police noted that Hernandez-Trujillo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Officials have not released details about the suspected crime, including where the alleged abuse occurred, the nature of the alleged acts, the identities or ages of any alleged victims, or whether charges against the other four people relate to the same events. That lack of detail leaves open basic questions about the scope of the investigation, and local records such as warrant affidavits or booking logs will be critical for further clarity.

For Ichiban staff and restaurant workers more broadly, the incident presents immediate workplace challenges. Front-of-house and back-of-house employees may face disrupted schedules, increased scrutiny from customers, and pressure to respond without full information. Management obligations include cooperating with investigators, protecting employee privacy, and communicating clearly with staff about scheduling, safety measures, and whether suspected employees remain on payroll or have been relieved of duties. The involvement of HSI may complicate timelines and indicate a broader investigative angle, though officials have not explained HSI’s role.

Next steps for workers and managers include monitoring official updates from Florence Police and local court filings, securing employee-support resources such as counseling or legal guidance if needed, and documenting any workplace actions taken. As the case proceeds through the legal system, restaurant employees and patrons should expect periodic developments from law enforcement and the Lauderdale County Detention Center that will shape how Ichiban and similar establishments handle allegations of criminal conduct on the job.