LOS ANGELES (AP) – Celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was indicted on 59 counts of sexual assault in a move prosecutors said Thursday would keep his accusers from having to testify at a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors previously charged Alexander with more than 40 felony and misdemeanor counts involving 18 victims that included rape, sexual battery and committing a lewd act on a child. He pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges.
The indictment, unsealed Thursday, added two more alleged victims to the original case, bringing the total number to 20.
Alexander, 33, has made the rounds of parties and fashion events, working with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Michelle Rodriguez and Mary J. Blige. He also was a profiled designer on the TV show “America’s Next Top Model” in 2003 and was among 20 people profiled by Newsweek as up-and-coming players in various industries.
Alexander is suspected of meeting women on the Internet and assaulting them when they visited with him about modeling opportunities.
Alexander was arrested in March at his Beverly Hills apartment. Bail was set at $1.3 million but Alexander remained in custody.
If convicted of all counts, he faces up to life in prison.
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