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Santa Clarita Man Charged with Sexual Assault of 14 Girls

michael_downs.jpg
Michael Downs, photo courtesy of the LA Sheriff's Department

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After sexually assaulting at least 14 underage girls, some as young as twelve, 19-year-old Michael Downs has been arrested and faces 29 felony charges, reports KTLA. Downs, who lives in Santa Clarita, allegedly met the girls on Facebook, and lied to them by saying he was 16. He then arranged times and places to meet them, and that's when the attacks occurred.

Officials first booked Downs after one girl came forward about her assault. That investigation led the to the 13 other victims, and they're still looking into the possibility of even more victims.

"For over a week we have found new victims every day as we investigate these crimes," Lieutenant Carlos Marquez, Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau told KTLA. "We are asking the public to have some difficult discussions with their kids and contact us if there are more victims."

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