US surgeon suspected of ‘multiple drug rapes’
A CALIFORNIA physician who appeared in a reality TV dating show and an alleged female accomplice have been charged with drugging and sexually assaulting two women, and authorities said there could be “hundreds more” victims.
Orthopaedic surgeon Grant Robicheaux (38), of Newport Beach, and Cerissa Laura Riley (31), of Brea, were arrested on September 12 after being charged with rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by anaesthesia or controlled substance, and other crimes,
said Tony Rackauckas, Orange County District Attorney.
Investigators were going through “thousands and thousands of videos and images on Mr Robicheaux’s phone, many also including Ms Riley,” added Mr Rackauckas.
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. Based on this evidence, we believe that there might be many unidentified victims out there,” he said.
The district attorney showed reporters video of Mr Robicheaux from a now-cancelled Bravo TV show called ‘Online Dating Rituals of the American Male’ in an episode titled ‘Three’s A Crowd’.
“We believe the defendants used their good looks and charm to lower the inhibitions of their potential prey,” Mr Rackauckas said, releasing an array of information about many locations and events associated with Mr Robicheaux and Ms Riley.
The defendants, who were released on $100,000 (€85,700) bail, could not be immediately reached for comment.
The two women who were allegedly assaulted met the pair during social encounters.
“Women who have encountered these two might have felt a false sense of security due to the fact that both defendants are clean cut, good-looking,” Mr Rackauckas said.
“We tend to trust doctors who take an oath to do no harm. The second defendant, being a female, is key. A woman purporting to be his girlfriend clearly played a significant role in disarming the victims, making them feel comfortable and safe,” he said.
According to prosecutors, Mr Robicheaux and Ms Riley met a 32-year-old woman at a Newport Beach restaurant on April 10, 2016, invited her to a party and then escorted her to Mr Robicheaux’s apartment.
The pair allegedly gave the victim multiple drugs and sexually assaulted her while she was incapable of resisting. The woman called police, and a medical examination found multiple controlled substances. On October 2, 2016, the defendants allegedly drank alcohol with another woman at a bar until she was unconscious, brought her to Robicheaux’s apartment and sexually assaulted her.