Official: More possible victims of Calif. doctor, friend found
LOS ANGELES — 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 intoxicated women, prosecutors said, adding that on Wednesday investigators identified three more possible victims and believe there could be many others.
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, an orthopedic surgeon, 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 nonconsensual 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.
“We believe the defendants used their good looks and charm to lower the inhibitions of their potential prey,” Rackauckas said, releasing an array of information about locations and events associated with Robicheaux and Riley. 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,” Rackauckas said.