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Sizhe Weng, a 30-year-old Chinese national also known as Steven
Weng, was arrested Aug. 28, though the district attorney and
police just released statements about the case on Wednesday.
Weng has pleaded not guilty to eight felony counts including
forcible rape and sodomy by controlled substance or anesthesia,
according to the LA County District Attorney's Office.
Weng was held without bail and could not be reached for comment.
A lawyer for him could not be found, and the LA Public
Defender’s Office didn’t respond to an email asking if one of
its attorneys is representing Weng.
USC said in a statement Wednesday that it is cooperating fully
with police and has taken steps to bar Weng from campus.
“Providing a safe environment for learning, teaching, and
research is our top priority,” the statement said.
Detectives began investigating in January after receiving
information from authorities about a potential suspect who plied
women with drugs before raping them in Los Angeles, police said
in a statement.
"Evidence was recovered at Weng’s residence that corroborated
his involvement in drug facilitated sexual assaults of multiple
victims dating back to 2021 and continuing into 2025," the
police statement said. Investigators said Weng put unspecified
incapacitating drugs in his victims' food or drinks.
Weng first enrolled as a doctoral student at USC in 2021,
prosecutors said.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman urged any other potential
victims to contact the police department's Robbery-Homicide
Division.
“We want every victim to know that their voices matter and we
will fight to ensure you are heard,” Hochman said in a
statement.
If convicted as charged, Weng faces 25 years to life plus 56
years in state prison, the DA's office said.
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