Man Faces Charges in Rapes of 3 Girls

A 20-year-old suspected gang member was scheduled to be arraigned today in the rapes of three 12-year-old girls in the Cerritos area, authorities said.

Wagner Sampang, whose arrest culminated a three-month investigation by detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department juvenile investigations bureau, was being held Wednesday night at the Lakewood sheriff’s station in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Deputy Benita Hinojos said Wednesday that Sampang, a reputed gang member, befriended the girls and then threatened them with retaliation by other members of his gang.

“Although Sampang was not armed during the rapes, he did use physical force with his victims,” Hinojos said, adding that at least one of the children was raped at her home.

Sampang was arrested late Tuesday as he left a friend’s house in Lakewood, she said.

Hinojos said the investigation began with “extremely little information,” and that detectives arrested Sampang after detailed interviews with the victims and with confidential informants.

The three attacks, she said, occurred in the Bellflower, Cerritos and East Lakewood areas. The attacks date back to last summer, with the most recent occurring in February, she said. But authorities believe there may have been others, she said.

Detectives believe some victims, either because of their age or their fear of retaliation, may have been reluctant to come forward. Deputies are urging anyone with information to call (310) 946-8531.