Aug 19, 2008 10:46 pm US/Pacific
Photog Allegedly Assaulted 3 Aspiring Models
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
An Argentinian man suspected of posing as a photographer and assaulting three victims, including a 14-year-old girl, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to rape and other charges, while police asked other women who may have been victimized to come forward.
Miguel Angel Barrera, 44, who lived in Chino Hills, was arrested Aug. 14
on suspicion of sexually assaulting three females, 14-23 years old, in the
North Hollywood area over the past two years, according to Los Angeles police.
Barrera -- who has dark skin, dark hair and light-colored eyes -- was
jailed in lieu of $625,000 bail.
He pleaded not guilty today to nine counts, including forcible rape,
sodomy by use of force, lewd act on a child, oral copulation of a person under 18 and using a minor for a commercial sex act.
Barrera is due back in Van Nuys Superior Court on Sept. 9, when a date
is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
Police, who suspect Barrera may have committed unreported sex crimes,
scheduled a 5 p.m. news conference at the North Hollywood Station to release his mug shot and a photograph of a red 2005 Dodge truck in which he allegedly has been seen.
Barrera speaks English with a heavy accent, stands about 5 feet 10
inches, weighs about 190 pounds and wears his hair "slightly long," police said.
He allegedly approached women and handed out business cards, talking up his show business connections and offering to photograph them for print and commercial ads.
He then took them to motels in Studio City, where he photographed them
and sexually assaulted them, according to police.
Barrera has been seen in two vehicles: the red four-door Dodge truck,
license 7P17947, and a white sedan, police said.
Anyone victimized by Barrera or who has more information about his
alleged activities was urged to call LAPD Detective Karen Crawford at (818) 623- 4090.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
