Photographer Preyed On And Raped Teen Models: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles photographer claiming to be an expert in the modeling industry lured teen models eager for career help and sexually assaulted them, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Friday.

William Isaac Thomas Jr., 49, faces life in prison if convicted of sexually assaulting three teens between 2017 and 2023, according to the DA's office.

Gascón praised the teens for having the courage to come forward.

"The courage these young survivors have shown in coming forward after enduring this unimaginable trauma and suffering cannot be overstated, and we stand with them in their pursuit of justice and healing," Gascón said in a written statement.

"The alleged actions of Mr. William Thomas Jr. are reprehensible. Exploiting a position of authority to prey on vulnerable teenagers is an egregious abuse of power that our society cannot and will not tolerate. We are committed to holding the offender accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice is served."

According to prosecutors, Thomas sexually assaulted the first victim, age 18 at the time, as the victim was pursuing a modeling career in 2017, and the abuse continued through 2020. In 2020, Thomas established a working relationship with a second victim, age 19-20 at the time, who was also pursuing a modeling career and sexually assaulted the victim until 2023, prosecutors allege. In 2022, Thomas began working with a third victim, age 19 at the time, and proceeded to sexually assault him until 2023, according to prosecutors.

"Each victim was being represented by Thomas as they pursued their modeling careers," the DA's office announced. "It also is alleged that multiple victims were particularly vulnerable, and that the manner in which Thomas carried out the offenses indicates planning, sophistication, and professionalism."

Thomas is charged with three counts of oral copulation; two counts of sodomy by use of force and one count of attempted sodomy of an unconscious or asleep victim.

Thomas was arrested Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Department's Fugitives unit, and he has remained behind bars in lieu of just over $1.5 million bail since then, jail records show.

Thomas is being held on $1,525,000 bail. If convicted as charged, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.