Community Corner

Laguna Niguel Man Charged with Raping Two Women

Police believe 26-year-old Babak "Bobby" Azadgilani may have more victims.

A 26-year-old sexual assault suspect who surrendered to Laguna Beach police earlier this month has now been charged of raping two women, authorities said today.

Babak "Bobby" Azadgilani of Laguna Niguel was in court today for a bail review and pretrial hearing. He was being held on $2 million bail, Farrah Emami of the Orange County District Attorney's Office said.

Laguna Beach police announced May 17 they were looking for Azadgilani in an April 21 sexual assault, and he surrendered later that day.

After police announced they were looking for Azadgilani, another woman alleged that Azadgilani twice sexually assaulted her, Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Woods said.

Azadgilani's attorney, Jack Earley, declined comment.

Azadgilani was acquainted with both women, Woods said.

The defendant is accused of forcing a female acquaintance to have anal sex with him sometime between July and September 2009, Woods said.

The other alleged victim, who came forward May 17, said she saw Azadgilani at Laguna Beach on April 21, the first time they had seen each other for several years, Emami said. Azadgilani allegedly followed the woman home, despite her telling him repeatedly that she wouldn't invite him in, Emami said.

Azadgilani persuaded the woman to let him in her home, where he is accused of raping her, Emami said. The woman immediately called police.

On May 11, Azadgilani invited the woman who alleged he sexually assaulted her in 2009 to come to his Laguna Niguel home, Emami said. The woman confronted Azadgilani about the 2009 anal sex, she said, adding that angered him and he allegedly pulled a knife on her and raped her, Emami said.

Azadgilani is charged with two counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object by force, and a count each of sodomy by force and forcible oral copulation, with sentencing enhancements and allegations of sex crimes against more than one victim and use of a deadly weapon during a sexual assault.

Investigators suspect there may be more victims, Amormino said.

Anyone with more information was asked to call Investigator Paul Carvo of the District Attorney's Office at (714) 347-8521.

- City News Service


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