DA: CA surgeon, girlfriend accused of 2 rapes, preyed on up to 1,000 women

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- The Orange County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that there may hundreds of alleged victims of a Newport Beach surgeon and a woman believed to be his girlfriend, both of whom are accused of drugging and sexually assaulting at least two women.

OCDA Tony Rackauckas held a news conference in Santa Ana, where he announced charges against 38-year-old Grant William Robicheaux and 31-year-old Cerissa Laura Riley. The two were charged with sexually assaulting two women by use of drugs.

Robicheaux and Riley are accused of teaming up to prey on women by meeting them at bars, drugging them - or coercing them with copious amounts of alcohol - and then bringing them back to the man's apartment to sexually assault or rape them.

Other charges include oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense and possession of a controlled substance for sale.

Rackauckas said there is video of the sex acts on one of the two victims who have come forward. Prosecutors believe that based on the videos and pictures found on the pair's phones, there may be upwards of 1,000 other victims.

Rackauckas added that Robicheaux and Riley are two "clean-cut, good-looking people" who used their looks and charm to "prey" on their victims.

The two alleged victims came forward with encounters they had with the pair in 2016. In April of 2016, Jane Doe 1 was met by the two at a restaurant in Newport Beach and invited to a party. Once intoxicated, the 32-year-old woman was allegedly taken to Robicheaux's apartment, where she was allegedly drugged and raped. She contacted Newport Beach police the next day and tested positive for multiple drugs, Rackauckas said.

In October 2016, Robicheaux and Riley are accused of drinking alcohol with Jane Doe 2 at a bar in Newport Beach until the alleged victim was no longer conscious. The two are accused of then taking Jane Doe 2 to Robicheaux's apartment and sexually assaulting her with the intent to commit rape. The woman woke up and screamed for help until a neighbor called Newport Beach police, who responded and investigated the case.

Robicheaux and Riley are also accused of possessing large quantities of illegal drugs which were recovered in Robicheaux's home in January 2018. Robicheaux is also accused of possessing two illegal, unregistered assault rifles, four other firearms and several large capacity magazines, according to a press release from the district attorney's office.

Newport Beach police submitted the case to the Orange County District Attorney's Office for review on Sept. 6 and arrested the pair at Robicheaux's home on Wednesday. Both are now out of jail after posting $100,000 bail each.

Robicheaux is a well-known surgeon in Orange County and has treated sponsored athletes. He was also once featured on the Bravo show "Online Dating Rituals of the American Male."

Rackauckas said the state medical board has opened an investigation into Robicheaux.

Attorneys for Robicheaux and Riley issued a statement on their behalf:

"All allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Grant Robicheaux and his girlfriend Cerissa Riley. They have been aware of these accusations for a number of months, and each of them will formally deny the truth of these allegations at their first opportunity in court. Dr. Robicheaux and Ms. Riley believe that such allegations do a disservice to, and dangerously undermine, the true victims of sexual assault, and they are eager to have the proper spotlight shed on this case in a public trial.

It must be noted that none of the allegations in this matter relate to or concern Dr. Robicheaux's medical practice or patients in any way.

They both thank their families and friends for their continued support."

Prosecutors believe there may be many more alleged victims who may have met Robicheaux and Riley at events like Burning Man and the Splash House Festival in Palm Springs. If you believe you have been a victim or have information related to the crime and defendants, call Supervising Investigator Eric Wiseman at (714)347-8794.