Yusuf Bey, center, leader of Your Black Muslim Bakery, goes to court on Sept. 26, 2002, in a sex-abuse case, surrounded by his young Muslim supporters. (Oakland Tribune)

By Mary Fricker, The Chauncey Bailey Project

For 30 years, authorities did nothing to stop Your Black Muslim Bakery patriarch Yusuf Bey’s sexual assault of minors and physical abuse of women, though at least six complaints were made to police and social workers and the attacks were well known within the bakery community.

Then, one of the raped women told her story to Oakland police investigator Jim Saleda. In less than three months, Bey was arrested.

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Investigative Report: Women of the Bakery

Women, Part I

Main story: One police officer cracked case

Second story: Fear kept abuse victims from seeking help

List: Reports to authorities

Women, Part II

Main story: Testimony reveals life of abuse

List: A chronology of abuse

List: Profiles of abuse

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The story of Saleda’s methodical pursuit in 2002 of one of Oakland’s most prominent and influential leaders is detailed in a 22-page police investigative report obtained by the Chauncey Bailey Project.

Seemingly oblivious to the political power that others said had been protecting the owner of Your Black Muslim Bakery for years, Saleda undertook a step-by-step investigation of the woman’s claims.

He found earlier reports accusing Bey of child sexual abuse languishing in police files. He ordered DNA tests to prove Bey’s paternity. And along the way, he found about a dozen other people who said they knew about Bey’s