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Newport Beach surgeon rape investigation now multi-state, district attorney says

Posted at 11:39 AM, Sep 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-21 19:38:58-04

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KGTV) - The search for more potential victims of a Newport Beach surgeon and woman accused of rape has spread to other states and dates back two decades, said Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas Friday.

Investigators have established more than a dozen credible leads to potential victims after receiving 50 calls about the case.

Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley were charged this month in two crimes. Prosecutors said the pair drank alcohol with women at Newport Beach bars and restaurants, then took the women back to Robicheaux’s apartment and sexually assaulted them while they were unconscious.

RELATED: Orange County surgeon and partner accused of drugging, raping women

“Even if you made a conscious decision to party with this couple or with anybody else for that matter: no one - no one, gets a pass to have their way with you once you’re unconscious or past the point of consent,” said Rackauckas.

There may be up to 1,000 women targeted by the pair based on photos from the suspects' phones, KABC reported, citing prosecutors in the case. The investigation has spread to other states and other parts of California. 

There are no known cases in San Diego at this point in the investigation, the Orange County District Attorney's office told 10News Thursday.

Robicheaux and Riley may also have targeted women using the dating apps Tinder and Bumble, prosecutors said.

“Ladies, please be careful when you meet people on these kinds of apps,” said Rackauckas. “You never know what’s behind that...what appears to be a perfect smile.”

Robicheaux is an orthopedic surgeon and reality television star who appeared on the Bravo show, “Online Dating Rituals of the American Male”.

Prosecutors believe Robicheaux and Riley may have traveled together to various festivals and locations since 2015 including Burning Man in Nevada, Dirtybird Campout Festival in Silverado, Nevada, Splash House in Palm Springs, and landmarks near Page, Arizona.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Supervising Investigator Eric Wiseman at 714-347-8794.