San Diego
Bail was set in San Diego at $1 million for a man suspected of kidnaping and torturing seven women as sex slaves. Ronald Martin Gabriel, wearing chains around his waist and feet, pleaded innocent to all 59 charges before San Diego Municipal Court Judge Dick Murphy.
Gabriel is accused of rape, false imprisonment, kidnaping, forcible oral copulation, forcible sodomy, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, possession of metal knuckles and possession of a billy club.
Gabriel was extradited from Phoenix, where he was arrested last week. Murphy set a bail review for Tuesday and a preliminary hearing for May 15.
Gabriel is also accused of being an ex-felon in possession of a gun and has previously been convicted of assault with intent to commit rape, forcible oral copulation and forcible sodomy, according to court records. His prior convictions were from 1972 and 1976.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Wayne Mayer said all seven victims were told they would be killed if they reported the assaults to police. The assaults allegedly occurred from September, 1984, to June, 1985.
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