A 44-year-old Cathedral City, California man who posed as a 17-year-old Italian boy on the internet has been arrested for raping an Orange County teenager he met over online social networking websites. In a statement from Cathedral City police department, Jeffrey Sackman was arrested for multiple sex crimes, including rape, unlawful intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography.
The victim is a 15-year-old girl who who initially met him online when she was 13. They had regular communication on internet sites like Facebook, MySpace and mbuzzy. He convinced her that he was actually a teenager. During their recent online communications, she told him she was having problems at home. He told her he could help get her out of the house. He offered to buy her a bus ticket to the Palm Springs, with a promise to eventually get her to her brother's house in Arizona. After she arrived at his home, he gave her methamphetamine and sexually assaulted her repeatedly over many days.
Police detectives were able to locate her after her mother used cellphone records to pinpoint the Cathedral City address where he lived. Initially, he told police she was not at the location, but a neighbor told police that a girl matching the her description had been staying there. Detectives searched his home and found her in a back room.
Sackman has no prior criminal history of sex crimes, but after his arrest, police detectives have indicated that another potential victim living in Utah has accused him of similar sex crime allegations. He remains in custody on $1-million bail. According to court records, he is being held on suspicion of rape, unlawful sex with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of lewd acts with a child.
If you are facing rape or any other type of sex crime criminal charges in Los Angeles or Orange County, California, you will need qualified legal counsel immediately.
At Cron, Israels & Stark, our experienced Los Angeles sex crime lawyers can help you. We have successfully defended clients against all types of state or federal sex crime charges including
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Right now, you need to protect your freedom and your future. A sex crime conviction will have a huge negative impact on your life for many years to come. Contact one of our Los Angeles sex crime criminal attorneys at our office today to discuss your case. All consultations are free of charge and strictly confidential.