Orange County prosecutors announced new charges Wednesday against a Newport Beach surgeon and his girlfriend who are accused of drugging and raping women, alleging in the new counts that the doctor sexually assaulted five additional victims.
The pair were arrested last month and charged with rape and other crimes in connection with the assault on two victims.
The couple, Grant William Robicheaux, 38, and Cerissa Laura Riley, 31, both entered not guilty pleas to numerous charges Wednesday in connection incidents that now involve seven victims described only as “Jane Does.”
Riley is charged in connection with three of the five new victims. They’re both also facing additional charges of kidnapping to commit rape.
“We believe if the defendants met the victims in a public place, drugged them while in that public place, and relocated them back to their home after their victims were rendered incapable of consent, with the intent to sexually assault their prey – that’s kidnapping,” Orange County DA Tony Rackauckas said in a news release Wednesday.
The DA had previously said the couple used their charm and good looks to lure women and make them feel comfortable.
Robicheaux, an orthopedic surgeon, appeared on the Bravo reality TV show “Online Dating Rituals of the American Male” and was named “Orange County’s Most Eligible Bachelor” by Orange Coast Magazine in 2013.
After entering a courthouse in Newport Beach flanked by an attorney and a bodyguard, the couple pleaded not guilty to all the charges. They were released from custody after posting $1 million bail.
In a statement issued by the couple Wednesday evening, they reiterated that they “unequivocally deny all allegations of non-consensual sex and absolutely deny any allegations that we have ever secretly drugged anyone for the purpose of having sex with them.”
They also said they have both “passed” polygraph tests and “look forward to the truth coming out.”
The pair noted that, although they have been aware they were under investigation since January — when authorities served a search warrant at their home and seized several digital devices — neither attempted to flee.
“Before our arrests in this case, we had great friends, great lives and great careers that allowed us to make positive contributions to our community. We look forward to getting our lives back,” they said.
Previously, Riley’s sister described her as being a “loving and kind person.” She said she has a special bond with her sister and called Riley her best friend.
The incidents that Robicheaux and Riley were originally charged with allegedly occurred in April and October 2016, but the new charges date back to September 2009.
In the news release, authorities described the allegations related to the five new victims, who came forward after a call to the public.
- Robicheaux met “Jane Doe 1,” a woman in her 20s at a bar in Newport Beach. The two went on a few dates before Robicheaux allegedly raped her at his home on Sept. 9, 2009, after she told him she did not want to have sex, according to the DA’s office.
- Robicheaux and Riley allegedly raped “Jane Doe 2”, who was in her mid 20s, while she was intoxicated on March 14, 2015.
- Robicheaux and Riley met “Jane Doe 5,” a woman in her 30s, at a Halloween party in Newport Beach on Oct. 29, 2016. They are accused of drugging her drink while she was at their home, and the defendants allegedly sexually assaulted and raped her while she was incapable of resisting. The victim woke up during the alleged assault, officials said.
- Robicheaux met “Jane Doe 6,” a woman in her early 20s, on April 16, 2017, after connecting with her on a popular dating app. Riley showed up during the date and allegedly pretended she was Robicheaux’s friend, officials said. The three then went to another bar, where the defendants allegedly drugged the victim until she was “highly intoxicated,” and took her to their home without her consent. The pair then allegedly sexually assaulted the victim. The woman managed to run into a bathroom, where she locked herself in until she was able to leave the next morning, officials said.
- Robicheaux and Riley met “Jane Doe 7,” a woman in her early 20s, at a party on July 4, 2017. The victim went with the couple to another party on a boat four days later where she drank multiple alcoholic drinks. The couple invited the woman back to their home where Robicheaux allegedly raped her after she lay down to sleep.
DA’s office officials said they have received more than 50 credible leads about potential victims, and more than a dozen women and one man have come forward with allegations against the couple. The couple are also known to visit various music festivals in different states, and authorities continue to call on additional victims to come forward.
Robicheaux now faces the following charges:
- three counts of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offense;
- four counts of rape by use of drugs;
- two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual offense;
- one count of forcible rape;
- one count of oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance;
- four counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale; and
- two counts of possession of an assault weapon.
Riley, meanwhile, now faces:
- three counts of of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offense;
- three counts of rape by use of drugs;
- two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual offense;
- one count of oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance; and
- four counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale.
Robicheaux faces 82 years to life in prison if convicted as charged, while Riley would face 63 years to life in prison.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or has information about Robicheaux and Riley can call OCDA Supervising Investigator Eric Wiseman at 714-347-8794.
