Photo Credit: Los Angeles Sheriff Department
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A man who allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl was in custody today, and authorities urged other possible victims to contact investigators.
Josh Manuel Magana, 27, of the Whittier area, was arrested Tuesday and was being held in lieu of $910,000 bail, authorities said.
Investigators allege that Magana sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl whom he had contacted over the Internet, using the screen name of “thegiftedmonster.'' He also allegedly contacted and threatened a 16-year-old girl via the social media site “KIK,'' according to the sheriff's department.
Magana allegedly threatend to hurt the girl if she didn't provide him with nude photos.
“Detectives believe that Magana had learned enough about his victim through her various social media postings, to convince her that he knew her personal information like where she lived and went to school,'' sheriff's officials said.
He allegedly continued threatening the victim until she sent him the photos.
The investigation led to Magana's arrest at his home.
Magana pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts each of forcible rape of a child under 14, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by a foreign object of a minor over 14, extortion and possession of child or youth pornography, along with one count of contact with a minor for a sexual offense.
He is due back in a Norwalk courtroom Feb. 21, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
Anyone who may have been victimized by him was urged to call the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force at (323) 526-5156 or humantraffickinglasd.org.