A Southern California man is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting nine women, one of whom died, prosecutors said.
Michael DiGiorgio, 50, was charged Friday with murder, three counts of felony rape with the use of drugs and delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of felony sodomy with the use of drugs, five counts of felony sexual penetration with the use of drugs; He was charged with five counts of felony sexual penetration under the influence of drugs. other crimes, NBC News Reported.
He was arrested Thursday by Redondo Beach police and remains in jail without bail, authorities said.
DiGiorgio was scheduled to be arraigned and enter a defense on Friday, but the hearing was continued until Nov. 6. CNN reported.
According to prosecutors, he is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting the victims at his homes in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach from May 2019 to November 2021. Investigators said they believe more victims may come forward.
Authorities did not release the name of the woman who died or when she died, but court records indicate the murder charge is related to a July 2020 crime.
“Our hearts go out to the victims whose lives were irrevocably changed and whose lives were lost as a result of the brutal acts of these criminals,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
“Our office is committed to holding him accountable for the pain and trauma he has caused.”
DiGiorgio could be sentenced to up to life in prison, the prosecutor's office announced.
He was previously charged in 2020 with rape of an “unconscious or sleeping” person, among other crimes, but the case was dismissed for lack of a speedy trial, CNN reported.
DiGiorgio has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
