| For Immediate Release Case # 08SF0847
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Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
JEWELRY STORE OWNER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 18-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN HIS STORE
*The Orange County District Attorney and Orange County Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s help in identifying additional victims
NEWPORT BEACH – A jewelry store owner will be arraigned today on charges of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female customer while she was shopping for a gift for her mother. Fereydoun Ghavami, 56, is charged with one felony count of sexual penetration by force and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison if convicted. The People will be requesting $1 million bail and Ghavami will be required to prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. Ghavami is expected to be arraigned today, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. The time is to be determined.
On Oct. 17, 2008, 18-year-old Jane Doe went to Royal Fine Jewelry at 23016 Lake Forest Drive, Suite D, in Laguna Hills to buy a necklace for her mother. While Jane Doe was trying on necklaces, Ghavami is accused of approaching the victim, grabbing her breasts, and putting his hands down the victim’s pants.
Ghavami is accused of previously owning Royal Jewelers at 32411 Golden Lantern Street in Dana Point.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794 or Orange County Sheriff’s Department Investigators Jeff Brown at (714) 647-7418.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Tony Ferrentino of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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