Surgeon charged with drugging and raping five more women

SANTA ANA – A Newport Beach surgeon was charged Wednesday with drugging and raping five more women as prosecutors added felony kidnapping counts and increased bail for the celebrity doctor to $1 million.

Dr. Grant Robicheaux, 38, once dubbed Orange County’s most eligible bachelor and a reality TV star, and his girlfriend, Cerissa Riley, 31, are accused of rape by drugs, kidnapping, oral copulation by anesthesia, assault with intent to commit sexual offenses and other crimes.

The pair pleaded not guilty to a slew of felony charges during a court appearance in Santa Ana on Wednesday. As they entered the courthouse, the two held hands while surrounded by a crowd of reporters and photographers.

More than 12 women and one man have claimed they were attacked by Robicheaux, who initially was charged with drugging and raping two women, according to Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. The two were arrested last month following a lengthy criminal investigation.

Rackauckas previously urged others who might have encountered the pair to contact authorities.

Attorneys for Robicheaux and Riley say they never participated in nonconsensual sex.

“The investigation began many, many months before that. … Despite that time, there is no allegation, there has been no information released, regarding thousands of victims or hundreds of rapes,” Robicheaux’s attorney, Philip Cohen, said. “The fact is, after nine months … Grant and Cerissa have been charged with two counts of sexual assault.”

He said the couple knew of the investigation but did not try to flee.

“Grant even left the country on two occasions prior to his arrest,” Cohen said.

The investigation began after complaints by two women who separately told police they were brought to Robicheaux’s house on 44th Street and assaulted.