Police Arrest Santa Monica Resident for Sexual Assault of a Minor

Police Arrest Santa Monica Resident for Sexual Assault of a Minor

By Lookout Staff

January 6, 2012 -- A Santa Monica resident was arrested this week for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl he met via a mobile texting application, and police believe there could be other victims.

Brian Anthony Marks, a 31-year-old white man, was arrested by investigators from the Santa Monica Police Department's Youth and Family Services Unit at his residence near Midtown on January 3 in connection with the December 14 sexual assault.

A search warrant was served, and Marks was booked at the Santa Monica Jail for lewd and lascivious acts with a child and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, police said. Bail was set at $500,000.

"Given the age of the suspect and the victim, there's always the possibility he could be a sexual predator and there could be other victims," said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the police department spokesman.

Marks met the victim in September of 2011 on a mobile texting application similar to a chat room that is commonly used on mobile devices and smart phones, according to police.

The application allows a user to search for people in the area, Lewis said. The victim, like the suspect, lives in Santa Monica.

"They befriended each other and had a sexual relationship that lasted several months," Lewis said.

The suspect informed her parents, and they filed a report with the police, Lewis said.

"Given the possibility that this crime was not a singular event, the Santa Monica Police Department is asking anyone else who may have been victimized by Marks to immediately report it to the Santa Monica Police Department," Lewis said.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Leslie Trapnell at (310) 458-2256, Sergeant Renaldi Thruston at (310) 458-8414 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at (310) 458-8495.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. Those who provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Callers can also contact Crime Stoppers by either calling (800) 222-TIPS, texting from their mobile, or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Callers may remain anonymous and may be qualified to receive a $1,000 reward by Crime Stoppers.