Craig’s List Ad Leads to Alleged Sexual Assault
NEWPORT BEACH, CA (January 9, 2009): An unwitting female victim responding to an ad on Craig’s List for a potential apartment rental was instead allegedly sexually assaulted, according to police.
Corey Kamyar Katir, 48, of Corona Del Mar, is charged with multiple felonious counts of sexual battery by restraint and one felony count of imprisonment by violence.
Katir is accused of posting an apartment for rent on Craig’s List on September 24, 2008. The ad reportedly read “$690 Cottage near the beach” with rent being “negotiable”.
On September 25 a 24-year-old female visited Katir’s residence in response to the ad at which point the assault is suspected to have occurred.
Katir is accused of engaging the alleged victim by first sitting next to her on the couch at his residence before rubbing her shoulders and kissing her.
When the victim attempted to leave Katir is suspected of grabbing her, pulling her into a bedroom and wrestling her onto a bed. He then allegedly fondled her breasts and buttocks before removing his penis from his pants and forcing her to touch it.
Police are concerned there may be more victims and urge anyone that may have suffered a similar crime to contact Newport Beach police investigator Penny Freeman at 949-644-3776 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Ed Berakovich at 714-834-7538.
Katir has been released on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing February 9, 2009.
