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Man Serving Time for Disneyland Bomb Threats Charged With OC Rapes, Robberies From Early 80s

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A former Orange County resident now serving time in federal prison for making bomb threats to Disneyland was in court today facing new charges stemming from the rapes and robberies of two women that took place in the early 1980s.James Michael Camp, 59, was charged in 1982 for the crimes, but was only just extradited to California to face prosecution, according to City News Service.

Camp is accused of meeting his victims through classified ads placed in the Pennysaver.

On July 23, 1980, Camp responded to a woman's ad for an apartment for rent in Santa Ana, and met with her to see the unit. While being shown the apartment, Camp sexually assaulted the unidentified victim at knifepoint, then tied her up with an electrical cord, raped her, and burglarized the home.

One year later, on July 22, 1981, Camp replied to an ad for patio furniture for sale. Upon meeting with the unidentified female seller at her Anaheim home, Camp allegedly raped her at knifepoint, then stole jewelry and other valuables from her.

In August 1980, between the two alleged rapes, Camp called Disneyland's switchboard operator to say he would explode bombs at the theme park if they did not give him $100,000. He pleaded guilty to those charges in 1983, according to the Associated Press.

Camp moved from California to Louisiana, where he pleaded guilty to rape there, and spent nearly thirty years in jail before he was sentenced to federal prison in Arizona in June 2011 for the Disneyland threats.

Under 1982 laws, Camp faces 22 years in prison for the Orange County cases, according to prosecutors. Camp's arraignment was rescheduled today for April 19.

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