Ph.D. Student Allegedly Confessed to Drugging, Raping Multiple Women Before Pleading Not Guilty: Prosecutors

Ph.D. Student Accused of Drugging and Raping Multiple Women Pleads Not Guilty: Prosecutors

A shocking case has emerged where a Ph.D. student stands accused of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women, before pleading not guilty to the charges. Sizhe “Steven” Weng, aged 30, reportedly confessed to the crimes, according to a motion filed by prosecutors on Sept. 2, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The allegations state that Weng admitted to drugging and assaulting three women, leading to a series of serious charges including forcible rape, sodomy by controlled substances, and rape by controlled substances. Despite the unsettling nature of the accusations, Weng has maintained his plea of not guilty throughout the legal proceedings.

The victims of these alleged assaults were revealed to be two friends from China and a fellow classmate in the doctoral program that Weng was enrolled in at the University of Southern California. These disturbing actions reportedly took place between 2021 and 2024, during Weng’s time as a doctoral student at USC.

According to the prosecutor’s motion, Weng confessed to the attacks when questioned by detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department following his arrest on Aug. 28. The motion further detailed the harrowing experiences of the victims, shedding light on the heinous acts they were subjected to at the hands of the accused.

One particularly distressing account described how one victim was drugged with benzodiazepine pills at a bar in San Diego, before being further sedated and restrained by Weng using a syringe and tubing to administer substances anally. The victim was then reportedly sexually assaulted and photographed in compromising positions, underscoring the severe nature of the alleged crimes.

Further investigations into the matter uncovered disturbing evidence at Weng’s residence, including sexually explicit images, sedatives, restraints, and other paraphernalia related to the assaults. The development of the case following these discoveries has raised concerns that there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward.

The University of Southern California, where Weng was pursuing his Ph.D. in electrical engineering, has expressed cooperation with law enforcement in the investigation. In response to the allegations, the university has taken measures to restrict Weng’s access to campus pending the outcome of the legal proceedings to ensure the safety of the campus community.

As the case progresses, authorities continue to urge anyone who may have been affected by Weng’s actions to contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division. This disturbing revelation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing such heinous acts within our communities.

In a statement, USC emphasized its commitment to providing a safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff, reiterating that the well-being of its community members remains a top priority. The university’s response underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for swift and just resolution to ensure justice for the victims involved in this troubling case.