A Newport Beach, Calif., orthopedic surgeon, and his girlfriend, have been arrested for drugging and sexually assaulting, at least, two women. However, 12 more women have come forward, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Cerissa Riley, 31, was arrested alongside Dr. Grant Robicheaux, 38, last week, and charged with the alleged crimes. Riley is accused of helping reel in the women, and participating in the assaults.
Robicheaux has been featured on a Bravo TV show called “Online Dating Rituals of the American Male.”
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said, in a news conference, that prosecutors have received more than 50 calls about the case, and have established more than 12 “credible potential victims” who have come forward with allegations against Robicheaux and Riley since their arrest.
Rackauckas said on Twitter Sept. 18 that law enforcement was seeking potential additional victims.
Law enforcement seeking potential additional victims of Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley, who are accused of sexually assaulting two women by use of drugs in Newport Beach. Please call 714-347-8794 if you have additional information https://t.co/xXNu2tonv8 @NewportBeachPD pic.twitter.com/sp927r9rtz
— Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas (@OCDATony) September 18, 2018
“We believe the defendants used their good looks and charm to lower the inhibitions for their potential prey,” Rackauckas said in a statement.
The couple teamed up to seduce women at bars by drugging them or forcing them to consume large amounts of alcohol and luring them back to their apartment where they sexually assaulted and videotaped them.
Police claim to have found close to 1,000 videos on Robicheaux’s phone showing sexual encounters with women, according to OC Weekly.
Rackauckas said the women “appear to be highly intoxicated beyond the ability to consent or resist and they’re barely responsive to the defendant’s sexual advances.”
Lawyers for Robicheaux and Riley said the two “unequivocally” deny the allegations of nonconsensual sex, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The district attorney said that the state’s medical board has opened an investigation into Robicheaux but there is no evidence so far that any of his patients could be victims.
He is charged with “felony rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substances, assault with intent to commit sexual offenses, four counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale, two counts of possession of an assault weapon and two sentencing enhancements for being personally armed with firearms during health and safety code violations,” the OC Weekly reports.
Meanwhile, Riley faces the same sexual and drug sale charges, in addition to a sentencing enhancement for knowingly and vicariously being armed with a firearm, according to the district attorney.
The defendants were released on $100,000 bail. They are scheduled to appear in court on October 24. If convicted, Riley faces up to 30 years in prison, and Robicheaux faces 40 years.
