WEST LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Authorities are seeking possible additional victims and witnesses in an ongoing investigation into a doctor accused of drugging and assaulting a woman at his home in West Los Angeles.
Babak Hajhosseini, 42, a doctor and visiting specialist at Wound and Burn Centers of America in Los Angeles and Catalina Island Health, was arrested Nov. 26 on suspicion of sexual assault of an unconscious person, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
He was released on bail three days later, police said.
According to the LAPD, Hajhosseini attempted to lure potential victims by offering high-paying jobs on recruitment websites.
“He would then invite the potential victims to work overtime after hours at his residence. Once at the residence, Hajhosseini pressured at least one victim into consuming an alcoholic beverage,” according to an LAPD statement on Dec. 30. “After consuming the beverage, the victim fell unconscious before Hajhosseini sexually assaulted and recorded her.”
Hajhosseini, who pleaded not guilty last week, is charged with eight felony counts—including rape by use of drugs and rape of an unconscious or asleep person. The criminal complaint alleges that the crimes occurred Aug. 18 and involved one alleged victim.
“Though he is charged with assaulting a single victim, investigators believe there are other victims who have yet to come forward,” the police department added.
Detectives asked that anyone with information contact Officer Lee at Operations-West Bureau, Special Assault Section at 213-473-0447 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Hajhosseini is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Jan. 13, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. A date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.
