Man Accused of Drugging, Raping Woman

A man representing himself as a commercial photographer was arrested after a woman accused him of drugging and raping her during a photo shoot at his house, authorities said Tuesday.

Stephen Surwin Sargent, 36, was arrested April 21 on suspicion of sexual battery and administering drugs to assist in the commission of a felony, said Det. Leslie Robertson of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Sargent has posted bail but officials of the Ventura County Jail had no details on the bond amount, when it was posted or when Sargent was ordered to return for a court arraignment.

Sheriff’s Department officials late Tuesday declined to explain why the arrest was announced seven days after it occurred. Robertson did say the investigation was continuing and that police were looking for other possible victims.

The 21-year-old woman said she went to Sargent’s house in the 200 block of Camino Toluca three weeks ago to have pictures taken for her modeling portfolio, Robertson said.

As the photos were being taken, the woman said she felt as if she had been drugged, Robertson said.

A search of the house recovered photos of the victim, a small amount of what could have been drugs and photos of other possible victims, authorities said.