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LAPD searches for more sexual assault victims in Hollywood – NBC Los Angeles

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A Hollywood resident who posed as a modeling agent and photographer has been charged with sexually assaulting at least three teenagers aspiring to modeling careers, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

After an 18-year-old reported being sexually assaulted by 49-year-old William Thomas in March 2023, Los Angeles County authorities issued a $1.5 million arrest warrant for him. Investigators eventually tracked Thomas down in another state, arrested him, and extradited him to Los Angeles.

Authorities said Thomas used his alleged connections to the modeling industry to lure his victims by promising to build their careers. However, when his victims rejected his advances, he allegedly threatened to ruin their careers.

“The manner in which Thomas committed the crimes demonstrates planning, sophistication and professionalism,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Thomas sexually abused the first victim, who was 18 at the time. The sexual assault began in 2017 and continued until 2020.

The second victim was 19 or 20 years old at the time of the attack in 2020.

Then, in 2022, Thomas allegedly began sexually abusing his third victim, who was 19 at the time, before continuing to abuse him until 2023.

Police said they have identified at least six men who were allegedly victims of Thomas and believe there are more victims.

“He preyed on young men by promising them jobs and financial opportunities that he never delivered,” said Detective Brent Hopkins, head of the Special Assault Section. “When he made them dependent on him, the abuse began. Now that he can no longer harm these victims, hopefully more people will be able to tell their stories.”

Thomas is being held on $1,525,000 bail.

If convicted as charged, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.

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