| For Immediate Release Case # 13HF1705 May 29, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
OCDA SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF MAN CHARGED WITH FORCIBLE RAPE OF TWO FEMALE ACQUAINTANCES
NEWPORT BEACH – The Orange County District Attorney is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a man charged with forcibly raping two women, with whom he was acquainted. Babak Azadgilani, 26, Laguna Niguel, is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape, two felony counts of sexual penetration by foreign object by force, and one felony count each of sodomy by force and forcible oral copulation, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for sexual crimes against more than one victim and the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a sexual assault. If convicted, Azadgilani faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. The defendant was arraigned today and is being held on $2 million bail. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing July 5, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
Between July and September 2009, Azadgilani is accused of forcibly sodomizing Jane Doe #2, with whom he was acquainted. The victim did not immediately report the assault.
On April 21, 2013, Azadgilani is accused of running into Jane Doe #1 in Laguna Beach. The defendant is accused of knowing the victim, but they had not seen each other for several years. When Jane Doe #1 left the beach to walk home, Azadgilani is accused of following her home to her front door, despite the victim repeatedly telling him that he was not allowed to enter her home.
The defendant is accused of using a ploy to convince Jane Doe #1 to allow him inside the home. Once inside, Azadgilani is accused of sexually assaulting the victim, including forcibly raping her. After the defendant left, Jane Doe #1 called 911 and reported that she had been sexually assaulted.
On May 11, 2013, Azadgilani is accused of convincing Jane Doe #2 to come to his home. While the victim was in Azadgilani’s home, she confronted him about the forcible sodomy from 2009. The defendant is accused of becoming angry, pulling a knife on the victim, and forcibly raping her. The victim did not immediately report the rape.
On May 17, 2013, the Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD), who investigated this case, put out a press release regarding the rape of Jane Doe #1 and seeking additional victims. LBPD also asked for the public’s help locating the defendant. Azadgilani is accused of turning himself in to police that day. Following the press release by LBPD, Jane Doe #2 came forward to report the assaults against her.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Paul Carvo at (714) 347-8794.