O.C. real estate agent charged in three rapes
Orange County prosecutors charged a real estate agent Monday with the rapes of three women, including two he met through a website that claims to be the largest online dating hub for millionaires, authorities said.
Joseph Garcia, 47, of Irvine appeared in court, although he did not enter a plea to six counts of forcible sodomy and one count of forcible rape. His arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 3, and bail was set at $1 million.
Deputy Public Defender George Abbes, who appeared on Garcia’s behalf, declined to comment.
Prosecutors said Garcia sexually assaulted three women, ages 22 to 42, between March 2005 and Oct. 18. He met two of his victims on MillionaireMatch.com and the third at a post office, said Susan Kang Schroeder, a spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Although the website says its clients include professional athletes, top executives and doctors as well as celebrities and models, it also says “you don’t have to be rich or famous” to sign up.
Prosecutors said they believed Garcia arranged dates with the women and took them to his home, where the assaults took place.
If convicted, Garcia faces up to 45 years to life in prison.
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