A Carlsbad man accused of drugging and sexually assaulting four women, including a 16-year-old girl he met online, pleaded not guilty in a Vista courtroom Wednesday.
Michael Fangman, 47, was taken into custody on Friday when investigators served a search warrant at his home in Carlsbad.
He faces 14 felony charges in connection with the alleged teenage victim, Jane Doe 1, including contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, providing narcotics (heroine), and unlawful sex and oral copulation with a minor, according to Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Barlow.
Prosecutors believe Fangman had contact with Jane Doe 1 between March 11 and March 16.
An investigation was launched on March 18 when the teenager reported the assault to the Carlsbad Police Department.
The three other charges stem from an incident with a Jane Doe 2 believed to have occurred on March 30. Fangman faces forcible rape, forcible penetration and sexual battery charges related to that alleged incident, Barlow said.
Prosecutors believe all of the alleged crimes occurred in Carlsbad.
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Barlow added that charges related to Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4 could come later, as the investigation is still ongoing.
Police say all of Fangman's alleged victims were contacted online. NBC 7 learned Fangman coached travel softball teams for girls 16 and younger and 14 and younger in 2016.
Detectives say they found three other victims who had allegedly been sexually assaulted by Fangman.
“All of our victims we’re contacted online, via social media outlets, they don’t all share the same one necessarily but he contacted them via online outlets,” said Sgt. Reid Shipley with Carlsbad police.
Shipley said all four victims were from Southern California with one from Orange County. All cases are from the last two years, he said.
The three additional victims are near the ages of 20 and 21 years old, he said.
“I have significant concern both for our own victims as well as any other potential victims that are out there," the sergeant added. "I really want our victims to understand that they’re not alone, that there are other people there and that we really want them to contact us.”
Fangman was booked into the Vista Detention Facility and is being held without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 25. If convicted on all charges, Fangman could face up to 25 years in prison.
Anyone who has information can contact the Carlsbad Police Department’s tip line TipLine@CarlsbadCA.gov or (760) 931-3819.
