Doctor and girlfriend may have drugged and raped more victims, official says
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.
In his 2014 appearance on Bravo's now-canceled show, "Online Dating Rituals of the American Male," Robicheaux charmed his way through three dates, CBSN's Vladimir Duthiers reported. Prosecutors say that same charm and clean-cut appearance allowed the orthopedic surgeon to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
"We've all heard of a wolf dressed up in sheep's clothing. Well, a wolf can wear scrubs… or a wolf can be a beautiful woman," Orange County district attorney Tony Rackauckas said in a press conference.
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, 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.