Official: More possible victims in case of CA surgeon, girlfriend accused of rape

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Thursday, September 20, 2018
3 more possible victims in case of CA surgeon, girlfriend accused of rape
Prosecutors say they're investigating more than six possible victims who have come forward in the case of an Orange County surgeon and his girlfriend who are accused of sexually as

LOS ANGELES -- Investigators have identified three more possible victims after a California surgeon and his girlfriend were charged with drugging and raping two intoxicated women, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Michelle Van Der Linden, a spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney's office, said prosecutors have received numerous calls since Tuesday, when the initial charges were announced against Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley.

Robicheaux once appeared in a reality TV show called "Online Dating Rituals of the American Male."

Defense attorneys say the suspects deny the claims.

"All allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Grant Robicheaux and his girlfriend Cerissa Riley," attorneys Philip Cohen and Scott Borthwick said in a statement.

The attorneys said none of the allegations involve Robicheaux's medical practice or patients.

Robicheaux, 38, of Newport Beach and Riley, 31, of Brea were arrested Sept. 12 after being charged with rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance, and other crimes, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters.

He said investigators were examining thousands of videos and images on Robicheaux's phone.

Some videos show women who "appear to be highly intoxicated beyond the ability to consent or resist, and they're barely responsive to the defendant's sexual advances," Rackauckas said.

Authorities say women met the pair during social encounters where they became intoxicated and ended up at Robicheaux's apartment.

"The second defendant, being a female, is key," Rackauckas said. "A woman purporting to be his girlfriend clearly played a significant role in disarming the victims, making them feel comfortable and safe."

The district attorney showed reporters video of Robicheaux appearing in the Bravo reality TV show, "Online Dating Rituals of the American Male" and photos of the two suspects in various locations.

He said the images may "jog the public's memory" and possibly encourage other people to come forward.

Bravo said in a statement that the show aired for one season, is no longer in production and there are no plans to bring it back.

Robicheaux and Riley were released on $100,000 bail each and are scheduled for arraignment Oct. 24.

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