This California couple might have raped over a 100 women
What's the story
In what could spiral into an outrageous case, an orthopedic surgeon from California and his girlfriend have been charged with drugging and sexually assaulting two women. What makes the case so explosive is that prosecutors suspect that hundreds of others could have fallen prey to the duo. Currently, authorities have dozens of leads, and are tracking them down for evidence. Here are the details.
Details
Hundreds of sexual assault videos found on Robicheaux's phone
38-year-old Grant William Robicheaux and 31-year-old Cerissa Laura Riley, were charged on September 11 with drug and weapons-related charges in connection with the two sexual assault cases. Notably, hundreds of videos showing women "in various states of undress, consciousness and being assaulted" were found on Robicheaux's phone. Subsequently, authorities held a press conference urging other women to come forward, and received dozens of leads.
Quote
More and more people are calling in with additional information
"I am being told by investigators that their phones have been very active this afternoon. People are calling with additional information and we will be busy tracking down all the additional leads," a spokesperson for Orange County prosecutors told AFP on Tuesday.
Modus operandi
How the couple identified and sexually assaulted victims
Prosecutors believe that the couple, since 2015, worked in tandem at restaurants, bars, and festivals like Burning Man in Nevada, to identify their victims, and used their charm and good looks to make victims comfortable. They would then use drugs like ecstasy and cocaine, and other date rape drugs to incapacitate their victims before sexually assaulting them at Robicheaux's home in Newport Beach.
Reaction
The couple has denied all charges
However, attorneys for Robicheaux and Riley issued a joint statement on Tuesday denying all charges. Saying that these accusations "do a disservice to, and dangerously undermine, the true victims of sexual assault", the attorneys said that the couple were "eager" to have a "proper spotlight shed on this case in a public trial". The couple are set to appear in court on October 25.