Dr. Babak Hajhosseini has been charged with eight counts of sexual assault.
(photo courtesy of the LAPD)

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Operations West Bureau’s Special Assault Section have arrested a physician for sexual assault and are asking any additional victims to come forward.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed eight felony charges on Dec. 23 against Dr. Babak Hajhosseini, 42, of Los Angeles, alleging he sexually assaulted a victim who was unconscious. He faces three counts of oral copulation of an unconscious or asleep person, two counts of rape by use of drugs and one count each of rape of an unconscious or asleep person, oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance and sodomy of an unconscious or asleep victim.

“Our office’s Sex Crimes Division is working diligently to bring justice to the victim in this case,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “The case remains under investigation, and we encourage anyone with information about the defendant or similar incidents to contact the Los Angeles Police Depart-ment.”

Hajhosseini was arrested on Nov. 26 after a victim reported the alleged crimes to police. He was released on Nov. 29 on $2.1 million bail. Hajhosseini pleaded not guilty to the charges on Dec. 27 and is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 13.

Hajhosseini founded the Wound and Burn Centers of America, which has an office at 8631 W. Third St. in a building adjacent to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Police said he also works as a visiting specialist at Catalina Island Health and has practiced medicine in Northern California and New York. A spokesperson for Cedars-Sinai said Hajhosseini is not connected to the medical center.

“Dr. Hajhosseini’s office is located in a privately-owned medical office tower adjacent to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but he is not employed by nor affiliated with Cedars-Sinai,” read a statement from the medical center.

Investigators allege Hajhosseini used job recruiting websites and offered high hourly wages to entice victims. He invited employees to work overtime after hours at his residence, which is located in the Wilshire area, Detective Brent Hopkins said. Police said Hajhosseini pressured one victim into consuming an alcoholic beverage while at his residence and after consuming the beverage, the victim was rendered unconscious. Hajhosseini allegedly sexually assaulted the victim and recorded her.

The charges against Hajhosseini all stem from the assault of one victim, police said. However, investigators believe there are other victims who have not come forward. Detectives released his photograph and are asking any additional victims to call the LAPD West Bureau’s Special Assault Section at (213)473-0447. During weekends and off-hours, call the LAPD’s hotline at (877)LAPD247.