A Los Angeles man accused of posing as a child services worker was charged with rape this week in connection with the assault of a 15-year-old girl in the Crenshaw-Leimert Park neighborhood.
Derrick Dwayne Thompson, 47, is charged with one felony count each of rape, sodomy by force of a victim 14 or older, and sexual penetration by force involving a minor victim over 14, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Police were initially informed when complaints of a man in a black Chevy Suburban posing as a child care provider surfaced. Police say he approached a teenage girl sitting at a bus stop on November 30, 2024.
According to authorities, the SUV had a sign on the door that advertised a child care business.
“The victim entered the vehicle, believing the suspect worked for child services,” police said in a statement last week. “The suspect drove to a parking lot, instructed the victim to sit in the back seat, and then removed the child care business sign from the vehicle door.”
According to police, Thompson then climbed into the back seat with the 15-year-old girl, removed her clothing, and began sexually abusing her.
Thompson was arrested by the LAPD on January 15. He remains in jail without a bond.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday of this week. It was unclear whether the defendant had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
“We are concerned about the possibility of additional victims,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement announcing the charges. “We urge anyone with information to come forward and contact the LAPD Juvenile Division.”
