A mall security guard has been arrested and accused of using his job to lure young women into prostitution.

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According to federal charging documents, Cooper Kweme used his time working as mall cop at the Westfield Mall in Wheaton cruising for young girls to lure into prostitution for his other business, the empire escort service. He allegedly created and managed a website to advertise their availability.

“His background should have been checked first,” said John Evans, a mall shopper. A case search run by ABC7 showed no prior criminal history for Kweme.

Kweme was arrested a week ago after a 16-year-old Arlington girl told police she had been forced by Kweme to be with as many as three men in one day at a Takoma Park hotel. She told authorities she met Kweme online and believed the alleged pimp was a police officer because of his security uniform, badge, gun and taser.

A woman who said she is Kweme’s wife answered his door in Silver Spring Monday.

“Was he doing what they say he was doing at the mall? I don't know. I'm sorry,” the woman said.

A neighbor told us she was stunned. “We've got a young daughter for heaven sake and this guy"s a predator. It’s terrible, absolutely horrible,” said Jodi Lieberman.

The management of Westfield Mall where Kweme worked wouldn’t comment on Monday.