A photographer attacks teenagers and rapes them. Models: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles photographer claiming to be an expert in the modeling industry lured teenage models seeking help with their careers and sexually assaulted them, the Los Angeles County district attorney said Friday. Los Angeles, George Gascon.

William Isaac Thomas Jr., 49, faces life in prison if convicted of sexually assaulting three teenagers between 2017 and 2023, according to the district attorney's office.

Gascón congratulated the teenagers for having the courage to come forward.

“The courage these young survivors have shown in coming forward after enduring this unimaginable trauma and suffering cannot be overstated, and we stand with them in their quest for justice and healing,” Gascón said in a written statement.

“The alleged actions of Mr. William Thomas Jr. are reprehensible. Exploiting a position of authority to prey on vulnerable teenagers is a blatant abuse of power that our society cannot and will not tolerate. We are committed to holding the offender accountable for their actions. and ensure that justice is done.

According to prosecutors, Thomas sexually assaulted the first victim, then 18, while the victim was pursuing a modeling career in 2017, and the abuse continued through 2020. In 2020, Thomas entered into a working relationship with a second victim, then 19-20 at the time, who was also pursuing a modeling career, and sexually assaulted the victim through 2023, prosecutors say. In 2022, Thomas began working with a third victim, then 19, and sexually assaulted her through 2023, prosecutors say.

“Each victim was represented by Thomas as they pursued their modeling careers,” the prosecutor’s office said. “It is also alleged that several victims were particularly vulnerable and that the manner in which Thomas committed the crimes indicates planning, sophistication and professionalism.”

Thomas is charged with three counts of oral copulation, two counts of sodomy by use of force and one count of attempted sodomy on an unconscious or sleeping victim.

Thomas was arrested Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Department's fugitive unit and has remained behind bars on bail of just over $1.5 million since then, jail records show.

Thomas is being held on $1,525,000 bail. If convicted as charged, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.