Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Disturbing Details Emerge, 2 Suspects Id'd in Case of Video Sexual Assaults on Disabled Women

creeps-assault-disabled.jpg
Images of suspects courtesy Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Following the disturbing reports of a tipster-provided DVD that contained 100 hours of video footage showing disabled women in diapers being sexually assaulted, police have identified two of the suspects in the video because they were recognized in connection with other investigations one of which was for sexual assault, according to KTLA.

One suspect, seen in the video footage in a wheelchair and removing his diaper and that of his victim, is believed to be a paraplegic patient at a residential care facility where some of the footage was filmed.

Another suspect, identified as 42-year-old Bert Hicks of Los Angeles is already in police custody for a previous conviction. It is believed he is married to one of the victims seen in the video, according to a live report on KCAL9.

Police are meeting this afternoon to work on identifying the remaining suspects in the videos. Public tips continue to pour in after surveillance image of the men were released yesterday.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today