Serial Rapist Arrested

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a serial rapist who is responsible for a total of nine incidents and possibly more.

In June 2006, Detectives assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division Rape Section began an investigation that resulted in nine cases being linked to the same suspect.

There are six LAPD cases, one Los Angeles County Sheriff case, and two cases from Chicago, Illinois that have been linked case to case by the State of California’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The first case occurred in 1999 and the last case occurred on June 23, 2007. All the victims were either accepting an offer of prostitution or a stripper that was lured to a motel. In three of the incidents the suspect stated he was a law enforcement officer and told the victims he would arrest them if they did not comply with his demands.

In the LAPD and LASO cases the suspect would make contact with the victim’s on or near Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles. He would drive the victims to a secondary location and assault them.

During the last rape the victim was able to obtain a partial license number on the suspect’s vehicle. Detectives identified and tracked the vehicle to a rental car agency. Leon Ellis, 46, was identified and arrested on July 7, 2007.

On July 10, 2007, the investigation was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. Felony rape charges were filed against the suspect. Bail was set at $2,600,000.00.

The Los Angeles Police Department is continuing the investigation and requesting the public’s help in identifying any additional victims or witnesses. Anyone with additional information to assist in the investigation is encouraged to contact Detectives J. Alvarado or P. Stirling, Rape Special Section, at 213-485-2921. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).