Calif. cops accuse 8 of house-party gang rapes
(CBS/AP) SANTA PAULA, Calif. - A group of alleged gang members were arraigned Tuesday afternoon on sex crime charges after police say they used social media websites to help kidnap and rape young girls in Ventura County, in Southern California.
Santa Paula police said the suspects used the Internet to lure teenaged girls to house parties in March and April where they were given alcohol, possibly drugged and then raped by multiple men. Authorities say at least one rape occurred while the victim was sleeping.
"Its pretty clear right now that alcohol was involved. The bottom line is they can really become incapacitated and abused anyway and they just didn't know this was going to happen," said Santa Paula Police Chief Stephan MacKinnon.
Seven adults and one juvenile were arrested last Friday. The suspects were identified as Carlos Ek, 22; Esteban Oseguera, 18; Isaac Ek, 19; Joseph Sandoval, 18; Jonathan Gaona, 19; Dion Mendoza, 19; Adrian Garcia, 19, and a 17-year-old juvenile, all from Santa Paula.
Six of the eight suspects were arraigned Tuesday on charges including rape, conspiracy, child abuse, sexual battery by restraint and parole violations.
Authorities say they were familiar with the suspects due to their alleged gang ties. The arrests were the result of a six-week investigation.
Authorities have investigated two known cases, but say there could be more victims who haven't come forward.Ventura County prosecutors say they will look to try the 17-year-old as an adult.