| For Immediate Release January 30th, 2004 |
Contact: | Mark Macaulay District Attorney Spokesperson (714) 347-8405 (O) (714) 323-4486 (C) |
ANAHEIM MAN CHARGED WITH RAPING THREE TEENAGE GIRLS
Santa Ana – Harvey Melber III, 20, of Anaheim, has been charged with three felony counts of forcible rape of two 14-year-old girls and a 15-year-old girl. In all three cases, Melber is accused of befriending the girls, bringing them to parties, and raping them. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 24 years in prison. Melber’s arraignment was continued today, bail has been set at $500,000. His next court appearance will be February 26, 2004, Dept. N8, in North Justice Center, 1275 Berkeley Ave, Fullerton, CA.
Melber met Jane Doe #1, 14, sometime in 2002, while he was working at a store in the Block at Orange. He invited Jane Doe #1 and a friend of hers to a party at his house in Anaheim, in July 2003. At that party, Melber is accused of taking Jane Doe #1 into a back room where he forcibly removed her clothes and raped her.
While that case was under investigation by the Anaheim Police Department, Melber met Jane Doe #2, 15, in an on-line chat room named “facethejury.com.” In December 2003, Melber invited Jane Doe #2 and her 14-year old friend Jane Doe #3, to a party at his friend’s house, in Anaheim. Melber is accused of giving the girls alcohol and drugs and then taking Jane Doe #3 to a room where he raped her. Jane Doe #2 went to the room to check on her friend. When she arrived at the room, Jane Doe #3 was passed out. Melber then attacked Jane Doe #2 and forcibly raped her.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating any additional victims or witnesses who may have information regarding these cases. You can contact Detective Amy Whitlock from the Anaheim Police Department at (714) 765-1963. Deputy District Attorney Joe Dane is prosecuting the case.