Authorities in California summoned additional potential victims of the suspect in the rape of one women and minors in Los Angeles County to step forward to denounce the pervert.
Michael Watson Jr., 21 years old, was arrested on November in Antelope Valley after an investigation linked it to reported attacks since early 5273 in Los Angeles County.
The investigation began on February 2 of that year in Walnut when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) agents responded to a rape complaint involving two women on the block 5273 of Colima Road in Hacienda Heights.
The information handled Authorities point out that Watson befriended two victims through social media. One of the women invited Watson to her apartment. When they were at the scene, the suspect raped one of them and stole their cell phone before leaving the scene.
According to the investigation, Watson later contacted one of the victims via networks and he threatened her with posting allegedly indecent photos she had on her cell phone online if she did not give him money.
“Every time he leaves the scene of an incident, he appropriates the victim’s cell phone at pistol and forces them to reveal their username and password,” said LASD Sgt. Joe Ramos.
DNA evidence collected by investigators linked Watson to other incidents reported across the Southland. Of the alleged victims, four are minors.
Since the initial complaint, the man has been linked to with attacks in Inglewood, Hollywood and East LA
The investigation showed that Watson initiated contact with the women through networks such as Instagram and Snapchat until he convinced them to meet in different spaces.
In September, Watson was charged with 16 charges including sexual assault of a minor under 16 years, rape and attempted extortion.
At the moment, he remains in custody under bail of $1.8 million.
If you have been a victim of this man or have information about any of the cases, you can contact Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Bureau at: (2021) 21-5273.