US surgeon and girlfriend allegedly raped women -- and the DA fears there may be hundreds of victims
Culled from CNN
Before Grant William Robicheaux was accused of rape, he charmed audiences on a reality TV dating show, lamenting how difficult it was for a busy surgeon like him to meet the right woman, CNN reported.
Fast-forward four years, and California authorities say he and his current girlfriend used their good looks and charm to drug and rape at least two women.
Robicheaux, 38, and Cerissa Laura Riley, 31, are charged with rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance, assault with intent to commit sexual offense, and possession of a controlled substance for sale. Robicheaux is also accused of firearms violations.
Grant William Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley will be arrainged on October 25.
After investigating videos on Robicheaux's phone, authorities worry there may be hundreds more victims.
On Wednesday, when asked for an update on the case, Orange County District Attorney Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder said six new possible victims have come forward, and more than 30 people have called investigators.
But attorneys for the suspects say they did nothing criminal.
Investigators believe Riley approached the women at a bar or restaurant, then invited her boyfriend over, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Tuesday.
He said Riley and Robicheaux met one woman, 32, at a restaurant in Newport Beach in April 2016. On another occasion, they invited her to a party and took her back to his apartment once she was intoxicated, Rackauckas said.
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Afterward, they drugged and raped the woman, the district attorney said. He said the incident was recorded on video.
The woman contacted Newport Beach police the next day and tested positive for multiple controlled substances.
Six months later, prosecutors say, another woman alleged the couple sexually assaulted her at the apartment after she got drunk at a bar with them.
The district attorney's office said she woke up and screamed for help until a neighbor called police to the scene. Authorities don't know if that incident was also recorded, Rackauckas said.
Robicheaux was featured in an episode of Bravo's "Online Dating Rituals of the American Male" in 2014.
Attorneys Philip Cohen and Scott Borthwick issued a joint statement on behalf of Riley and Robicheaux denying the allegations of nonconsensual sex.
"They have been aware of these accusations for a number of months, and each of them will formally deny the truth of these allegations at their first opportunity in court," the attorneys said.
"Dr. Robicheaux and Ms. Riley believe that such allegations do a disservice to, and dangerously undermine, the true victims of sexual assault, and they are eager to have the proper spotlight shed on this case in a public trial."
The district attorney said investigators want to talk to Robicheaux's patients, though so far there is no evidence any incidents happened in a medical setting.
The defense attorneys said Robicheaux's medical practice has nothing to do with the claims.
"None of the allegations in this matter relate to or concern Dr. Robicheaux's medical practice or patients in any way," the attorneys said.
Riley and Robicheaux each paid $100,000 bail last week when they were arrested. They will be arraigned October 25.
