Alleged Serial Rapist Ordered To Stand Trial In Ventura County

Thursday July 27, 2023

     Updated--The Colorado man charged in connection with an alleged series of sexual assaults in Simi Valley and Los Angeles has been ordered to stand trial.

     Following a two day preliminary hearing, the judge held 27-year-old Charles Gaines III to answer on seven counts of sexual assault and 13 special allegations.

     Gaines was arrested in August of last year in connection with an extortion case handled by LAPD and was brought back to California from his home in Aurora, Colorado.

     They say DNA evidence then allegedly linked him to the sexual assaults in Simi Valley and Los Angeles.

     Search warrants were served at his residence in Colorado and investigators allege they found evidence linking him to multiple sexual assaults.

    The authorities allege that Gaines would frequently meet his victims via Online dating apps and would sometimes go by the name Chris, Christopher, or C.J.

     Gaines has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied all special allegations.

     He is being held in the Ventura County Jail with no chance of bail and is due back in court August 9th to have a trial date set.