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A judge set bail at $1 million today for a Newport Beach real estate agent accused of sexually assaulting three women, two of whom he met through an online dating service, prosecutors said.
Joseph Raymond Garcia, 47, appeared in a Newport Beach courtroom this afternoon, but did not enter a plea to six counts of sodomy by force and one count of forcible rape in connection with the alleged attacks at his Irvine home, said Susan Schroeder of the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Polos rescheduled arraignment for Nov. 3.
Deputy Public Defender George Abbes, who appeared on Garcia's behalf, later declined comment. "I have nothing to say," he said.
It was not immediate clear if he would represent Garcia after this hearing.
Garcia is accused of violently sexually assaulting three women, ages 22 to 42, between March 5, 2005, and Oct. 1 of this year, Schroeder said.
He met two of the alleged victims via millionairematch.com, Schroeder said, and the third at a post office.
He arranged to go on dates with the women and then brought them to his home, where he allegedly forcibly raped one victim and sodomized all three, Schroeder said.
Deputy District Attorney Lynda Fernandez said that because Garcia met women through an online service, authorities are worried there could be other alleged victims.
"He's using this Web site obviously to meet women and go out on dates with them and then he sexually assaults them," Fernandez alleged.
The Web site boasts a clientele of professional models, entrepreneurs, CEOs, professional athletes, doctors and lawyers, among others and asks, "Is your economic success hindering you from meeting that special someone?"
The company has reportedly taken down Garcia's personal ad, and investigators are trying to determine how many hits the site had received.
Garcia faces up to 45 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges. The charge of forcible rape could carry a life prison term because of an allegation that Garcia committed a sexual assault against more than one victim, Schroeder said.
Anyone with information pertaining to the case to contact district attorney's investigator Craig Kelsey at (714) 347-8794.
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