Tag: rape

WESTWOOD—On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Alexander William Schecter, 26, of Santa Monica was charged with kidnapping a female UCLA student in March 2026 and the rape of another woman in October 2025 in Culver City.

Schecter is charged in case 26ARCF00673 with one felony count of kidnapping to commit another crime; one felony count of first-degree residential robbery; two felony counts of forcible oral copulation; and one felony count of forcible rape. It is further alleged that offenses related to the October 2025 crime involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness. It also is alleged that all victims were particularly vulnerable.

Schecter’s arraignment and bail review hearing was continued to May 4, 2026, in Department 30 of the Airport Courthouse. Bail remains set at $700,000. The prosecution will ask the Court to set bail at $1.4 million.

On October 12, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Schecter allegedly sexually assaulted and raped a woman in Culver City.

On March 8, 2026, at approximately 3 a.m., he allegedly kidnapped a female UCLA student in the 500 block of Landfair Avenue. Schecter was allegedly dropping off the student in the area when he allegedly prevented her from exiting his vehicle and threatened violence. The student was able to exit the vehicle approximately half a mile away on the 400 block of Gayley Avenue.

On March 12, 2026, UCLA Police arrested Schecter after identifying him as the suspect in the March kidnapping incident. During the investigation, Schecter was identified as the suspect in the October sexual assault and rape. If convicted as charged, he faces 37 years to life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matthew Bunnett of the Sex Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department.

Anyone who may have been a victim or has additional information regarding Alexander Schecter is asked to contact the Investigations Division at the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department at (310) 825-9371.

Those wanting to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800 222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Andrey Thanh Nguyen, 37, was arrested on Wednesday, August 9th, for suspicion of drugging and raping several women in West Hollywood and Los Angeles, between the years of 2021 through 2023. The victims were all between the ages of 18 and 21 at the time of the crime. Investigators are encouraging any other victims to come forward to help in this case.

The alleged perpetrator, who also goes by “Cosmo” was arrested in East Los Angeles, and formally charged on Friday, August 11th by the Los Angeles County District office. The day before he pled not guilty to all charges which included seven counts of rape by use of drugs, three counts of sexual penetration by anesthesia or a controlled substance, and one count of sexual battery. He also faces drug-related charges and one count of sexual battery.

“The violence and trauma that the five survivors in this case endured is abhorrent and will not be tolerated,” District Attorney Gascón said. “My office is committed to working tirelessly to prevent sexual assault, support survivors, and hold abusers accountable. We encourage any additional victims of Andrey Thanh Nguyen to come forward.”

Authorities asked anyone with information about the case or any other alleged additional victims to contact the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau at 562-946-7960 or by email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org, or to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

Survivors in need can contact the District Attorney’s Bureau of Victim Services at 1-800-380-3811.

By Christianne