Culver City man pleads not guilty to allegedly raping girl with autism
CULVER CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- A Culver City man who allegedly held a 15-year-old girl with autism captive in his home and repeatedly raped her pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Samuel Robert Duran Jr., 33, is being held on $12 million bail.
The victim disappeared from her home in the 11200 block of Westminster Avenue in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles on March 24.
She was rescued by LAPD officers Monday after she called for help, and officials traced the call back to the suspect's home.
Detectives have not determined how Duran and the victim met. If convicted, Duran faces 15 years to life in prison.
LAPD is working with the FBI and the Culver City Police Department on the investigation. Anyone with further information on this case was urged to call the LAPD Pacific Area Sexual Assault Unit at (310) 482-6313, or (877) LAPD-247.
