Many students at UCLA have been worried by the series of sexual assault attacks that have occurred over the last month, but ABC News reports that campus police officers were finally able to arrest a man in connection to the incidents.
Police say that they were actually able to catch a man in the act of committing sexual assault. The victim may have been his seventh victim. There had been at least six reported attacks in UCLA's Westwood area from March 8 to April 7.
Many in the UCLA community are now applauding the efforts of local police officers, who dedicated a great deal of time investigating the sex crimes. Law enforcers were able to identify the suspect as 63-year-old Calixto Marcellana Nitro of Bakersfield. He was said to have approached distracted women who were either on their mobile phones, or reading a book. The man was booked on one misdemeanor account of sexual battery, but was released on his own recognizance.
However, investigators are now trying to gather evidence that would connect the suspect with the other six previous attacks. Calixto Marcellana Nitro will likely need a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, as the man is scheduled to appear in court on May 12, 2010.
As for the crime victims, the aftermath of sexual assault can be difficult and frightening to deal with, but there are victim assistance programs in the area that are able to provide help and support. See FindLaw's section on Crime Victim Resources to look at national agencies that help victims of sexual assault.
Related Resources:
- Victims of Crime (LawBrain)
- Sex Offenses (LawBrain)
- Find a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer (FindLaw)
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