California man charged with raping woman he met on ChristianMingle.com
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}California police charged a man last week with raping a woman he met through a Christian dating site, and say he may have assaulted other women.
Officers arrested 37-year-old Sean Patrick Banks of Del Mar, Calif., on one count of burglary and two counts of sexual assault for raping the woman in her home in November, Fox5SanDiego.com reported.
Banks allegedly used the online name “Rarity” to contact the victim on ChristianMingle.com last November. He is accused of raping her while visiting her at home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It took police several months to find Banks because he did not reveal his real name to the woman, who is in her 20s. Police say Banks also used the names “Rylan Butterwood” and “Rylan Harbough” on the dating site, Police Lt. Matt Nicholass told Fox5SanDiego.
“After further followup in the investigation, the La Mesa Police Department is concerned there may have been more cases (involving) other women,” Nicholass said.
Police are concerned that Banks may have traveled outside of the San Diego area to meet other women who may also have been victims.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ChristianMingle.com is working with police on the investigation. A site spokesperson, Arielle Schechtman, said they take precautions to protect users.
“In addition to having profile experts manually review all profile text and photos submitted by members, we have also developed several proprietary, automated tools to help identify questionable profiles and eliminate fraudulent activity in our communities,” Schectman said.
Banks has pleaded not guilty to the allegations and was released on bail. Prosecutors say he faces 36 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges.
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