Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley have faced multiple accusations of drugging and raping women. However, the California Attorney General’s Office has significantly narrowed down the charges to focus on two victims. Prosecutors presented evidence in a Fullerton courtroom over the past week, attempting to convince an Orange County Superior Court judge that the case contains enough evidence for a jury trial.
According to investigators, the two women met Robicheaux and Riley at Newport Beach restaurants, had drinks bought for them, and later woke up feeling drugged and as if Robicheaux and Riley were attempting to sexually assault them. However, defense attorneys noted apparent contradictions in the stories of the alleged victims and the quality of the investigation carried out by the Newport Beach Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, which could pose challenges should the case proceed to a jury trial.
On July 9, Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael Leversen will decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial based on the lower standard of proof required during the preliminary hearing phase. The alleged victims did not take the stand, but investigators testified on their behalf.
During the hearing, Newport Beach police Det. Marie Gamble testified about the allegations brought by the first victim, referred to as Jane Doe 1. Jane Doe 1 met Robicheaux and Riley at Baja Sharkeez, where Robicheaux offered to buy drinks for her and a friend. Jane Doe 1 blacked out after a few sips of her drink and later woke up feeling undressed next to her roommate in Robicheaux’s home. When she confronted Robicheaux, he allegedly told her she wanted to come back to his home. Gamble alleged that Robicheaux struck Jane Doe 1, and when she screamed, Riley told him to stop. Jane Doe 1 was allegedly unable to tell the truth to officers due to feeling uncomfortable and wanting to go home.
OCDA Investigator Jennifer Kearns testified on behalf of the second alleged victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, who met Robicheaux on a dating app. Kearns noted that Jane Doe 2 ingested cocaine offered by Riley before blacking out and later waking up partially undressed with Robicheaux and Riley touching her. Riley allegedly told Jane Doe 2 that Robicheaux would hurt them if they did not unlock the bathroom door, and she eventually found an Uber to go back to her friend’s home. However, defense attorneys noted that Kearns did not investigate Jane Doe 2’s previous alcohol-related incidents and only reported the alleged incident after widespread media coverage of the case.
The case was initially announced in 2018 by then-District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, who accused Robicheaux and Riley of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women. Current-District Attorney Todd Spitzer later moved to dismiss the charges, but a judge denied his request and turned the case over to the state Attorney General’s office. The judge is set to make a ruling on whether the case can proceed to trial on July 9.
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