By Lookout Staff

September 15, 2020 -- A 55-year-old man arrested by Santa Monica police last week has been charged in connection with a series of sexual assaults against elderly patients at local nursing homes.

Photo courtesy SMPD

Juan Victor Mendoza faces four felony counts for the assaults, two of which took place in Santa Monica and two in the Los Angeles area between 2012 and 2018, police said. Police believe Mendoza may be responsible for additional crimes in the Los Angeles area, said Lt. Joseph Cortez, the Police Department spokesman. Mendoza was first arrested last year for one sexual assault allegation on an elderly victim in Santa Monica but was shortly released on bail, Cortez said.

"While awaiting court proceedings, SMPD Detectives received additional information regarding three other elderly victims who had all claimed Mendoza had conducted similar sexual acts with them," Cortez said.

Police re-arrested Mendoza last Wednesday for the additional allegations and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges, police said.

Mendoza is in custody with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with a bail of $250,000.

Anyone with information related to this investigation should call Detective Nicole Murphy at (310) 458-8941 or Nicole.Murphy@smgov.net; Sergeant Artis Williams at (310) 458-8475; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.