The Antelope Valley Times

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Teen sexually assaulted near AVC, suspect caught

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A deputy searches the vehicle of kidnap/ sexual assault suspect James Smith. The green Buick matches the description of a vehicle reported in connection with a rape that allegedly occurred in Lancaster this past weekend, according to a Lancaster Sheriff Station crime broadcast. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
A deputy searches the vehicle of kidnap/ sexual assault suspect James Smith. The green Buick also matches the description of a vehicle reported in connection with two other sexual assaults in Lancaster, detectives said. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LANCASTER – A 19-year-old female was allegedly kidnapped Monday afternoon near the Antelope Valley College campus and taken to an abandoned house where she was sexually assaulted, authorities said.  Less than two hours after the incident, 35-year-old Lancaster resident James Smith was taken into custody. Smith is a “person of interest” in three other sexual assaults that occurred in the Antelope Valley dating back to 2012, according to a press release from the LASD Special Victim’s Bureau. Read it below:

35-year-old James Smith was taken into custody in connection with the incident. He is allegedly linked to three other sexual assaults in the Antelope Valley and is being held on $1 million bail. (LUIS MEZA)
35-year-old James Smith was taken into custody Monday in connection with the incident. Smith is allegedly linked to three other sexual assaults in the Antelope Valley and he is being held on $1 million bail. (LUIS MEZA)

On Monday, June 16, 2014, at approximately 2 p.m., detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau began investigating the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 19 year-old female.

The victim was walking on 33rd Street West in the City of Lancaster when the suspect approached her from behind and forced her into his vehicle.

The suspect then took the victim to an abandoned house in the 43000 Block of 33rd Street West in Lancaster, where he sexually assaulted her. Once he completed his assault, the suspect entered his vehicle and fled the location.

The alleged kidnapping June 16 happened across from the Antelope Valley College campus, near 33rd Street West and Avenue K. (LUIS MEZA)
The alleged June 16 kidnapping happened across from the Antelope Valley College campus, near 33rd Street West and Avenue K. (LUIS MEZA)

The victim called Lancaster Station to report the assault.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Lancaster Station patrol deputies found the suspect inside his vehicle, while parked in the 1000 block of West Avenue H-12 in Lancaster. The suspect was taken into custody at that time.

The suspect is currently in custody at the Los Angeles County Jail and being held in lieu of one million dollars bail.

The suspect is a person of interest in three other sexual assaults that occurred in the Antelope Valley, dating back to 2012.

Anyone with information regarding these assaults is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.

The victim is an Antelope Valley College student, “but other than that, there really is no relationship to the college at all,” said Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau. AVC officials released a statement Tuesday morning regarding the incident.

“On Monday, June 16, 2014 an incident occurred regarding an adult female who was confronted by an unknown male adult while walking near 33rd Street West and Ave K in Lancaster… The Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau has advised the A.V. College Campus Sheriff’s Office that the incident did not occur on campus and the suspect is in custody,” the statement reads.

UPDATED 6/17 @ 3:15 pm: SVU detectives have explained how kidnap/sexual assault suspect James Smith is linked to the other sexual assaults in the Antelope Valley. Sexual assaults were reported in Lancaster in mid-May and on June 2, 2014, where the suspect was driving a green Buick, according to Sgt. Brian Hudson. “Also, there’s some biological evidence that linked him to a case [sexual assault] that occurred in Palmdale in 2012,” Hudson added.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

103 comments for "Teen sexually assaulted near AVC, suspect caught"

  1. why does she keep saying their two men with the same name! smh DNA don’t lie you can have a million men with the same name but they will never have the same DNA :/

  2. Yes this is James Smith that worked for the City of LA
    He also worked @ Cedar Sinai Medical Center.

  3. I have known James for at least 10 years and I would have never thought of him being a serial rapist but who does. I tell you , you never know what’s going in a person’s mind. WOW is all I could say when I was told what he is being accused of. What he did to those women is just flat our wrong and there are no excuses for what he has done. This man has kids what was he thinking? Well you know that’s a stupid question for me to ask he wasn’t thinking that’s the problem. Well you live by the sword and you die by the sword and when you wrong you are wrong and James you are way pass wrong. Well James you better get ready because I am pretty sure where you are going is not going to be someplace that you woman call home. Hey but what can you say you brought it all on yourself.

  4. Well done to the victim that reported this near the college you did a wonderful job I wish I could giveyou a hug im glad you stood up and put this monster Where he belong for the rest of his life

  5. Ive known James since I was 13yrs . Im sorry to.the victims. I dont know what happened to make anyone want to commit these sick.crimes.. Im sorry

  7. The [removed] is wrong, that is my brother n I dont think he would do something like that…He is not that type of guy..

        • The last line in the article said;

          “Also, there’s some biological evidence that linked him to a case [sexual assault] that occurred in Palmdale in 2012,” Hudson added.

        • So sad that your still in denial about your brother! They have his dna! DNA don’t lie! People live double lives! They let you see! What they want you tosee! He does have a violent side to him! He has gotten physical with two women that I know personally! But what I have thought that he would’ve raped anyone? No! But do we ever think someone close to us! Rsespecially family! Would commit such a hideous crime? I feel for the victims! For the women that was violated! They will have there day in court! He will burn in hell for what he did to these women!!!

    • must agree with lanee, how many black males have served time of 10, 15, and 20 years for crimes they did not do. Later cleared and released.  But that person loses a lot of his life time by a mistake or overzealous police department. Manly due to faulty police work, faulty DNA collection and evaluation, falsified statement of eye witness ( as a plea to save their own beacon or for revenge/vendetta) A poor black man cannot afford a high price lawyer from Beverly Hills to stand up for him.  Everyone is quick to judge without letting the case be tried.  Justice for minority has never been fair in this country so when you here such things as alleged, linked and possible let that be a warning that the truth is not yet determined.  So let justice run its course and let he not be judge and convicted in the court of public opinion.  This may be a deliberate act to sway potential jurors. This seems so odd just all of the sudden a person is found so quickly. Do
      you remember the movie Cornbread? How about Rose Wood?

      • It’s not “odd”. That’s how science works through DNA testing!

        Furthermore, I wouldn’t base life circumstances and events on movies created in Hollywood with scripts, actors, digital special effects and the like!

    • GUESS WHAT I KNOW JAMES SMITH FROM THE JUNGLES IN LA. AND I BELIEVE HE DID RAPE THOSE PEOPLE..HE IS A PERVERT ALL HE TALK ABOUT IS SEX.WHEN I SEE HIM I GO ANOTHER WAY.HE DONT HAVE NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT BUT SEX AND I KNOW A 17YR OLD THAT RAN AWAY AND HE LET HER SLEEP IN HIS CAR BUT I DONT THINK HE RAPED HER SHE GABE IT TO HIM.NOW THEY NEED TO SHOW HIM HOW IT FEEL..IM LAUGHING AT HIS PERVERT ASS..

      • Thank You. You can’t make an arrest with bail at $5,120,000.00 without evidence. little do people know, there’s four more victims in los angeles. All of his DNA is there and the sick demonic asshole videotaped some of his crimes. So………? He set himself up.

  8. My wife was sexually assaulted at work by an intoxicated ‘customer’, with witnesses and a video of the perpetrator’s assault. After two days I called the main offices to ask why no one was showing any concern for my wife’s safety and well-being. I was promised by a VP that a phone call would be made immediately to my wife. No call came. Another VP of the company told her to “just get over it”, it’s interfering with your work. A police report was made. The Mojave DA changed the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, then later dropped the case, as misdemeanors have a one year statute of limitations. No one informed us that the charges were lessened. We thought we were still operating under the three year felony statute. Two days after my wife was assaulted I woke up in the middle of the night and found my wife in the bathroom, huddled like a little girl on the floor in a corner, gasping for breath and crying with a crazy look in her eyes. I’ll never forget it cause my wife is usually very strong emotionally, but the way she looked that night scared me. Same thing repeated the next night. All I can assume is that my wife’s assaulter has some good ol’ boy golf buddies. They play together every Tuesday. Justice is only the spin you put on it. If you can afford it. Disgusting.

    • My prayers goes out to the Survivor of the sexual assault. It’s a long road to recovery but you will be alright, remember to breathe your still alive :)

      Thank you for being brave and reporting him.

      I too am a Survivor of a Sexual Assault by two employees who were sub contracted out by TWC. I also called 911 reported it within the hour, went through the humiliation of the hospital forensics, and on top of that the LASD deputy who took the report was a cold hearted, non trained, vacuous person. A female deputy who is unable to demonstrate compassion for any victim, especially a RAPE , should be fired!

      It took 4 days for detective to respond and then they didn’t know exactly which station would be handling my case.

      The AV DA was a joke, not only did she not fully do her job, but she took another job in LA in the middle of my case. In the end the two did not get prosecuted, but did get fired from their job. My mission now is to spread awareness.

      just because a person does not have a record only means they haven’t got caught yet!

    • KHK… that is a FEDERAL CRIME covered by title7 or 8 of the 1964 Civil rights act. Contact the EEOC. Maybe this company will feel their reach. I am praying for your wife, and I hope the bastards that are connected to her pain, from the perpetrator to the vp’s of that company, get exactly what they deserve. And you being her strength, get yourself some help too. It is hard to see a loved one suffer and not be personally affected. God bless you both.

  9. Men don’t wake up one day and say, “Hmm today I think I’ll kidnap a woman and rape her.” It starts with pornography folks. Society would have you think that porn is harmless and doesn’t affect anyone, but it’s one of the main causes that destroys marriages and relationships. It prevents someone from having a healthy sexual relationship with anyone.

    • And pencils should be outlawed because they can get sharp and injure people. Give me a [removed] break. Porn isn’t to blame. It’s a lack of responsibility, respect, and self-control that causes men (and women) to commit these horrible crimes. The vast majority of people who watch pornography do not commit heinous acts of rape and assault.

      • Actually Tyler, Ted Bundy said this about his pornography addiction, “My experience with pornography … is once you become addicted to it, (and I look at this as a kind of addiction like other kinds of addiction), I would keep looking for more potent, more explicit, more graphic kinds of material. Like an addiction, you keep craving something that is harder, something which gives you a greater sense of excitement. Until you reach a point where the pornography only goes so far, you reach that jumping off point where you begin to wonder if maybe actually doing it would give you that which is beyond just reading or looking at it.”

        You should read the whole interview, it was his last interview before being executed for kidnapping, raping, and killing numerous girls and women. He says it all started with pornography. Maybe not every person who indulges in porn will end up like him, but porn is still not healthy. You also have to take a look at the sex trafficking problem in our society, if there wasn’t such a demand, it wouldn’t be such a problem. Once again, the fantasy of pornography can only take one so far until the real thing becomes the next step.

        You can read Ted Bundy’s last interview here:
        http://www.academia.edu/4921305/A_Transcript_of_Ted_Bundys_Final_Interview

  10. I just wonder HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE AV GET FOR EVERY JERK OF? Being sent out here from LA?

  11. Great job to the young woman who immediately got away and reported the crime. You are such a courageous person and a hero for this community!! You may not be given an award or be recognized but you have the unanimous respect of the women in this community who your actions will protect. I know that is not consultation for your trauma. Thank you for being so courageous.

  12. https://www.theavtimes.com/2014/06/12/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-event-coming-to-av/

    Please encourage participation…we need to raise awareness and learn what happens when a victim reports and encourage people to report and believe them when they do….My team works with law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office to collect the evidence in these cases and we are trying to reach out to the community! It is not only about prevention but encouraging people to come forward!!

    • I did report it, and Nothing Happened. SARS was unable to help either and the VOC is a joke. I’m getting the help I need but I am bitter towards the justice system esp when I hear this man is in jail and the two employees from TWC didn’t get prosecuted.

    • I came forward about Smith in 2004, he raped me, I found out I was pregnant, got a restraining order against him and my life has been HELL on earth every since. He even touched my baby. I have proof. He should have been caught a long time ago. His mother is crazy as hell. She will go to extreme measures to depend him. My story is deeper than that. Inbox me if you want to know.

      • I’m so sorry that this happened to you! I am a victim of rape myself! So I feel your pain! You think you know somebody! And you find out! That you don’t! I’ve known of james over the yrs myself. A old friend of mine had a kid with him. She told me that he got violent with her. We worked @ the same facility as well. How can I go about inboxing you?

      • @IwasTheWrongOne hi my name is Kay kay I was browsing through the comment and seen yours. If it’s ok with you I would like to hear more about your story.

      • iwasthewrongone, its amazing that you’re really on here telling lies, you was dating him for a few years, and where is your daughter now, you dont even have custody of her and havent seen her in about 4 yrs, because of your past! be truthful cause there are people out there that knows the real when it comes to you!

        • To whoever you are, I don’t understand how you can possibly tell me I’m lying when there’s hard evidence. There’s videos of him raping my daughter that the police have, all of the evidence that is piled against him, and none of it from me! So, before you try to call me a liar, get your facts straightened out. It’s clear that you are a misinformed basket case who obviously has not had the torturous virtue of sitting as a mother having to read over 300 pages of DCFS papers reporting what he did. I could sit and argue back and forth, but I have no time. Instead, I would rather watch his bail soar above the clouds and now I know he won’t touch anyone else. You can hide behind WTF, but that’s just a mask of disgrace where you won’t make yourself known. You think you know me, do you? Problem is, you are the one in the wrong. Have a nice life . Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids. #iwasthewrongone #justicewillprevail #6milliondollarbailandcounting #Godisstillincharge

  13. I know him he was staying with my family i would never new he wpi Ulster to some stuff like this he always talking about who’s pretty who he wanna do it but I never new he will go this far so sick

      • None of you ever think that any of your relatives ever do anything wrong! That’s what your biggest problem is!

        • Well sweetheart I know he didnt, read more in to it, it was another guy with the same name, I dont understand y they put his picture on news when they know he was not the guy…They dont hav his dna

  14. Sometimes the police dont release info on a potential suspect in fear the perp may flee the area.

  15. I hate the term “sexual assault”. it sounds so mild. like if he just touched her leg or something. She was “violently raped” is what I would say, and I bet she would agree after the hell she went through.

    • Has anything like that ever happened to you? It sometime makes the victims feel ashamed if themselves. Speaking from experience, I prefer them mild term because then people don’t know exactly what happened. What if she wasn’t penetrated at all. What if she was only forced to give him oral? You don’t know. So sexual assault covers all of that without being specific. It’s not the public’s business what specifically happened to the victim.

  16. For the user seeking sexual predators. Go to Megans Law website and search by your zip code. You will see everyone in your area and maybe a few you never knew.

    • Yeah, that really would have helped in this case! Or, instead of spending a vast amount of resources on this list, some preventive measures could have been established to prevent this case from happening, at least to the subsequent alleged victims.

    • honestly be quiet! such a selfish comment! you’re basically saying better get than me! you are stupid to take rides from strangers, and if you know this pig, than your friends must not be far from this..

        • Cookie- I got what you were saying. You are thankful you didnt get raped. Close call. I’m pretty sure you arent celebrating the other young ladies rape. Sometimes ” mean girls” just look for people to bully.

        • im sorry that your brother is in this situation but here is the true fact just because you know him your whole life and you grew up together you have to understand that you do not know what is going on in his own mind their is dna tests proving that it was him im sorry but you can not fight that no matter what so i suggest that you pray for him no matter what and hope nothing happens to him after he is sentenced in court my best wishes to you and your family but he is going to get what is coming to him no matter what weather your saying all this stuff on here or not

          • Love I know my brother n I know he didn’t do it, it was another guy with the same name, please read more in to it thats y I hate they showed hos face because he is an innocent guy, they hav another person dna not his

    • Is this James Smith that worked for the City of L.A.? Back in 2005 , dont he have a daughter? If thats Him Wow i worked with him for 2years side by side

  18. Golly, You’d think with all of those fancy police phones all over the parking lots that she could have avoided this? No? Perhaps its time we face reality and people be allowed to defend themselves. It’s time we are allowed to keep and BEAR arms.

    • Obviously giving people guns is the answer. That will definitely solve the rapist problem. I mean, if he was suspected of other assaults and nothing was done about it, that right there isn’t the problem. Guns definitely solve everything. I wish people would stop whining about their rights to bear arms and trying to justify it with all the problems going on in the U.S.A. how about finding a real solution.

    • She wasn’t in the AVC parking lot so no, the emergency phones were obviously not an option.

    • This probably would have been prevented if they caught him after the first assault. Also, people walking around with weapons wouldn’t solve a thing. She could have had a gun if she wanted to, but she chose not to walk around with a gun. The main problem here is that this guy was able to rape two other people before this. The girl shouldn’t be worried about what she carries with her, or where she should be walking, the problem is people like Smith has the opportunity to commit the same violent act over and over.

    • The article states, “The victim was walking on 33rd Street West…” it doesn’t say she was walking on the campus.

  20. How about a picture of the scum? Might be more victims who didn’t report an assault but who might come forward. NOw that he’s in custody.

      • Is that James Smith that worked.for the City of L.A. Back in 2005 , i worked side by side with him , he has a daughter right? I cant believe what im hearing about him…..i support u James , ur not like that! There are mis- judging u i hope!!!!

        • James Smith also worked @ Cedar Sinai Medical Center. I would’ve never thought this about him! He always joked around, and acted like a big clown! Wow you just never really know people! Scary!

          • James also has 3 kids! Scary! I feel bad for his kids! I’ve known of him for yrs! And worked with him! I’m in shock!

          • People please read more bout n let the truth been told, he os an innocent man, it was another guy with the same name, they hav his dna, for all his so call friends that know him, please stop talking negative, u do know him better than that

  22. Now would be a good time to put one of those infomercial slicer/dicers to the test Fin’g Losers

      • Sweetie, just stop. I know your heart must be broken and its best to stay off of social media.

        • No hunny I just know the truth n hate reading things like this bout my brother, once again it was another guy with the same name n the police think they dna n they dont, not from my brother anyways..

          • Your bother kids was also taken away from him! Cause he was accused of molestation! By one of his kids! So the kids are lieingtoo! Just eeverybody is leing on your poor innocent brother! Honey wake up and smell the coffee!!!

          • James smith was also accused by one of his kids mother of domestic violence! Sorry your brother is where he belongs!!

      • DNA says he raped those girls. He should get life in prison. When the other inmates find out he is a rapist. They will beat him or murder him in prison.