A Santa Clarita man accused of raping five women and sexually assaulting two other women while posing as a driver for a ride-hailing service pleaded not guilty Thursday to 27 felony charges.
Nicolas Morales, 44, entered his plea during his arraignment at Alhambra Superior Court.
Morales will return to court April 18 for a hearing,
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Morales on Feb. 26 with nine counts of forcible oral copulation, six counts of rape, five counts of sodomy by use of force, four counts of sexual penetration by foreign object, assault with intent to commit a felony, attempted sodomy by use of force and attempted kidnapping to commit rape.
The criminal complaint includes the allegations that there are multiple victims, that Morales was armed with a gun when he allegedly assaulted one woman on Jan. 1 and that he used a knife when he allegedly kidnapped her.
The rapes and assaults occurred from Oct. 9, 2016 to Jan. 1 in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Alhambra.
Sarah Ardalani, spokeswoman for the DA’s Office, said Morales faces a maximum possible sentence of 300 years in prison if convicted of all the charges.
Alhambra police arrested Morales on Feb. 23 for a December rape of a woman at an Alhambra park.
The victim called 911 on Dec. 30 and told police she had been picked up in Los Angeles, taken to the local park and assaulted. Police didn’t know who the assailant was then.
Sgt. Steven Carr, spokesman for Alhambra police, would only say that “forensic evidence” in their case later led to Morales. He was then linked to other sexual assaults, police said.
Police and the DA’s Office wouldn’t say what ride-hailing service Morales pretended to drive for. Neither would they reveal how he found out the victims needed rides.
Morales has a prior conviction for battery.
Los Angeles County Superior Court records show Morales was charged for a Nov. 1, 1999 domestic violence and battery.
He pleaded no contest to battery on March 6, 2000 and was sentenced to two years probation and five days community service. The domestic violence charge was dismissed.
Morales remains in custody at Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.
