Suspect In 'Brazen' LA Restaurant Child Sex Assault Held Without Bail

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 38-year-old man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to accusations he sexually assaulted a girl inside a Hollywood restaurant earlier this month.

David Josue Lopes — also known as David Lopez — was arrested Thursday in connection to the incident, which occurred the evening of Nov. 5, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Lopes is accused of approaching the girl inside an unnamed Hollywood restaurant, "taking her to a closed are out of public view and physically and sexually assaulting her," the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Lopes pleaded not guilty to one felony count of forcible lewd act upon a child under 14, along with allegations of aggravated kidnapping and infliction of bodily harm on a child under 14 years old, according to prosecutors.

He's being held without bail. He's due back in court Dec. 12.

If convicted as charged, Lopes faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said.

“The allegations in this case are horrifying,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “An innocent child and her family have suffered an unthinkable trauma that will leave lasting scars. My Office will use every legal tool available to seek justice for this young victim and to ensure that the individual responsible is held accountable under the law.”

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Police Department circulated a photo of Lopes. "Detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims due to the brazen and serious nature of the assault," police said in a statement.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or those who may have been victimized by the suspect is asked to call the Juvenile Division at 424-259-7096 or 877- 527-3247 during non-business hours.