In one of the more disturbing news stories that has come to light recentl, an orthopedic surgeon that was featured on the Bravo reality series Online Dating Rituals of the American Male has been, along with his girlfriend, charged with rape and additional felonies. What's more, now-defendants Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley reportedly possessed evidence that may prove they were responsible for sexually assaulting over 1,000 other people.
The 38-year-old Grant Robicheaux appeared on Bravo's dating series Online Dating Rituals of the American Male back in 2014, in what was the fifth of six episodes in the dating series' short run. It was two years later, in 2016, when the incident in question happened, and Robicheaux and Riley were arrested in Newport Beach and charged on Wednesday for drugging and sexually assaulting at least two women met in local bars at the time. Both were later released on a $100,000 bail, with an arraignment set for October 25 in the California town.
Should Grant Robicheaux be found guilty of all charges, he could face 40 years in the state prison, according to Deadline. Meanwhile, Cerissa Riley could face 30 years in the same event of all guilty verdicts. Other mitigating factors include the charges of the couple being armed with guns during the time of the alleged sexual assaults, of possessing controlled substances, of using drugs during the rapes, and for "oral copulation by anesthetic or controlled substance." When Robicheaux's apartment was searched by warrant back in January, the police found large amounts of illegal drugs, unregistered assault rifles and other firearms and ammo.
As well, there's the claim that there are videos on the accused's phones that show sexual acts being committed on at least one of the women who came forward against Robicheaux. Although that's definitely not the only video that's being discussed in connection to this case. During a press conference, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas admitted there were hundreds of potentially incriminating videos on the suspects' phones, in which women appeared to be "highly intoxicated beyond the ability to consent" (according to Rackauckas), and that the total number could possibly hit over 1,000.
As partners in crime, Robicheaux and Riley are being accused of finding women in bars and clubs and getting them extremely drunk or drugging them, at which point the victims would be brought to Robicheaux's apartment, where the alleged assaults would happen. It's stated that prosecutors are also of the belief that the duo may have also gone out of town and out of the state to target women, with Palm Springs' Splash House Festival and Nevada's Burning Man festival named as potential spots. Tony Rackauckas is encouraging other potential victims to come forward if they believe Robicheaux and Riley may have assaulted them.
In a statement made by lawyers representing Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley, all charges are being denied. The full statement can be read below.
All allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Grant Robicheaux and his girlfriend Cerissa Riley. They have been aware of these accusations for a number of months, and each of them will formally deny the truth of these allegations at their first opportunity in court. Dr. Robicheaux and Ms. Riley believe that such allegations do a disservice to, and dangerously undermine, the true victims of sexual assault, and they are eager to have the proper spotlight shed on this case in a public trial. It must be noted that none of the allegations in this matter relate to or concern Dr. Robicheaux's medical practice or patients in any way. They both thank their families and friends for their continued support.
Online Dating Rituals of the American Male episodes centered on two males seeking romance in any which way possible, with some men going for single-night hook-ups and others seeking out future spouses. It's a very strange, and perhaps telling, way for Grant Robicheaux to have made a small dent in pop culture before going on to allegedly perform such cruel acts. And he's not the only Bravo personality to get pegged for sexual assault recently, with Southern Charm's Thomas Ravenel and then J.D. Madison both getting accused and then subsequently kicked off the show.
Here's hoping this complicated situations gets sorted out accordingly, with justice ultimately prevailing.
