Los Angeles Police Department detectives are searching for additional victims and witnesses in a series of sexual assaults allegedly committed by a popular Los Angeles-based tattoo artist, authorities announced Monday.
In a Los Angeles Police Department news release, investigators announced that 28-year-old Charles Wayne Wilkerson IV was arrested on October 29 in connection with two sexual assaults.
The first assault occurred in December 2023 at Wilkerson’s Tattoo Shop in South Central Los Angeles, and the second occurred at a residence in February 2024, police said.
According to authorities, both victims were 25-year-old women.
The 28-year-old, also known as ‘Franco’, is known as ‘Franco Khalifa’ on Instagram and raps under the name ‘Franco Khalifa’.
Charles Wayne Wilkerson IV, aka “Franco Khalifa,” 28 years old (Los Angeles Police Department)
On November 20, Wilkerson was charged by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office with two counts of rape, one count of forcible oral copulation, and one count of oral copulation under anesthesia or a controlled substance with a drugged or intoxicated victim. Ta.
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“He preyed on young women who hired him for the artistry of their tattoos,” says Det. said Robert Smay, a sexual assault investigator with the Southwest Division. “Once he gained their trust, the assaults occurred. Now that these brave young women have told their stories, we hope that more people will be encouraged to come forward and seek justice.” I hope.”
Detectives released a photo of Wilkerson in the hopes that potential victims of Wilkerson, 28, who have not yet reported being sexually assaulted by him, will contact authorities. did.
Anyone with information that may lead to the identification of additional victims or witnesses is asked to contact Los Angeles Police Department Southwest Sexual Assault Investigators at 323-290-2976.
Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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