LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A 49-year-old photographer accused of portraying himself as a modeling industry expert has been charged with sexually assaulting three aspiring models in Los Angeles over a period of several years, prosecutors announced Friday.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, William Isaac Thomas Jr. is charged with three counts of oral sex, two counts of forcible sex and one count of attempted sexual intercourse with an unconscious or sleeping victim.
The charges come as Los Angeles Police detectives say they have identified six men Thomas allegedly assaulted and are currently searching for additional possible victims.
“He preyed on young people by promising them jobs and financial opportunities but never delivering,” LAPD Detective Brent Hopkins said in a statement. “Once he got them dependent on him, the abuse began. Now that he can no longer harm these victims, hopefully more will be able to come forward and share their stories.”
Thomas was extradited to Los Angeles after being arrested out of state, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect was arrested on Tuesday.
Prosecutors allege Thomas sexually assaulted the first victim, who was 18 years old at the time and working as a model, between 2017 and 2020, and then sexually assaulted the second victim until 2023 after they were in a working relationship when she was 19 or 20 years old.
Thomas is also accused of beginning a professional relationship with a third victim, who was 19 at the time, in 2022 and sexually assaulting her until 2023, according to the district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors said the victims each represented Thomas during their modeling careers.
“The bravery of these young victims in coming forward after enduring unimaginable trauma and suffering cannot be overstated, and we stand with them in their search for justice and healing,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “William Thomas Jr.’s alleged actions are reprehensible.”
“Using a position of power to prey on vulnerable young people is a gross abuse of power that our society cannot and will not tolerate.”
Thomas is being held on more than $1.5 million bail and faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison if convicted as charged.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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