Second alleged victim comes forward in sex abuse inquiry

LOS ANGELES — A second alleged victim has come forward in the Southern California investigation into videotaped sexual assaults of severely disabled women, authorities said.

The 27-year-old woman recognized one of the suspects, Ernie Lloyd, in news coverage, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Friday.

The woman said another suspect, Bert Hicks, sexually assaulted her multiple times between 2007 and 2009 when she lived in a housing facility he operated.

Sheriff’s officials also said Friday that they served search warrants at three residences as part of the investigation, the Los Angeles Times reported. Details of the warrants were not released.

Another woman came forward Monday and said she was assaulted by Lloyd a few years ago at a residential care facility in Los Angeles where they both previously lived. Sheriff’s officials say she has physical disabilities that leave her defenseless.

Lloyd was arrested Jan. 8 after surrendering to police.