Recently, three women thwarted an individual’s attempt at date rape at a Los Angeles restaurant. According to reports, the three women were dining at The Fig in Santa Monica when they noticed a man drop something into his date’s drink when she got up to use the restroom. The women immediately alerted the lady in the bathroom, warning her not to take a sip from her drink. They also reported what they saw to restaurant management. Restaurant staff reviewed security camera footage and saw the man adding something to his date’s drink, after which they immediately called the police.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, police arrested the suspect: Michael Roe Chien Hsu. The substance that was allegedly introduced to the drink has not been released, though it’s likely being tested for a variety of date rape drugs and other narcotics.

After being arrested, the suspect was charged with one felony count of administering a drug and one felony count of attempting to commit a sex crime. He’s currently being held in lieu of $350,000 bail.

California Penal Code 261 covers rape, and defines the crime as nonconsensual sexual intercourse accomplished by means of threats, force or fraud. The law has a very broad definition which encompasses a variety of situations, including:

  • Spousal Rape
  • Date Rape
  • Statutory Rape
  • Forcible Penetration with a Foreign Object and,
  • Forced Oral Copulation

Rape is always a felony in California and it carries the possible penalties of formal probation (if the rape didn’t involve the use of force or violence) with up to 1-year in county jail OR 3 to 8-years in California state prison. Additionally, the defendant will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life.

In the above case, the alleged rape was disrupted, which means that the defendant, Michael Roe Chien Hsu, is instead being charged with attempted rape. People are charged with attempted crimes when they intend to commit a crime, take a step toward the commission of that crime, but are unable or unwilling to finally go through with it. In Hsu’s case, his crime was thwarted by the 3 women eating near him. Since Hsu is being charged with attempted rape, he will only be subjected to half the original crime’s penalty.

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval is a California Licensed Bail Bondsman and owner of SCV Bail Bonds. Robin writes blogs and articles to help increase community awareness of the bail industry. If you have questions or want to suggest a topic, email robin@scvbailbonds.com, visit www.scvbailbonds.com or call 661-299-2245.
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval

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