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Nov 24, 2021
A Riverside man accused of multiple sexual assaults involving high school students has been arrested by U.S. Marshals, according to police.
Thailar Patterson, 20, was taken into custody in Texarcana, Texas, on November 12. The arrest came following a warrant being issued in connection with numerous sexual assault claims made by students of Riverside’s Martin Luther King High School. Patterson is accused of sexual assault by at least two former classmates.
The suspect was extradited to Riverside County and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on November 22.
In July, detectives with the Riverside Police Department’s Sexual Assault-Child Abuse unit opened an investigation into Patterson after a teenager came forward to report an incident that occurred approximately three years earlier. Patterson was reportedly a senior at Martin Luther King during the 2019-2020 school year.
“She and the suspect attended Martin Luther King High School in Riverside and the alleged crimes occurred multiple times during the 2018-2019 school year when the suspect was in his senior year,” Officer Ryan Railsback, a spokesman for the Riverside Police Department, said in a public statement. “During their investigation, detectives learned of a second victim classmate who came forward with similar allegations, along with a third victim who disclosed the suspect sexually assaulted her in 2019.”
Detectives believe additional survivors who were victimized by Patterson may have yet to come forward. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case, or any survivor who was harmed by the suspect, to contact the appropriate law enforcement officials as soon as possible.
Riverside Detective Melissa Brazil can be reached via 951-353-7950 or MBrazil@RiversideCA.gov.
Survivors of sexual assault may wish to pursue a civil lawsuit against a perpetrator in an effort to obtain financial compensation for various damages. Some examples of damages that may be recoverable through a sexual assault lawsuit include:
In California, sexual assault civil claims may be filed regardless of whether or not a criminal action is taken against a predator. Additionally, the impact of any criminal proceeding does not directly impact a civil lawsuit. In many cases, a civil lawsuit may be successfully brought despite a criminal prosecution not materializing.
Dordulian Law Group (DLG) is proud to partner with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) in the effort to combat sexual violence. Unfortunately, countless sexual assaults go unreported every year. Through education and an increase in reporting, we can help reduce sex crimes.
Some important statistics on sexual assault reporting (provided by RAINN) include:
The vast majority of sexual predators will never go to jail or prison. In fact, RAINN estimates that out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free.
Furthermore, RAINN estimates that:
Unlike sexual assault, crimes such as robbery are estimated to be reported to police over 60% of the time. For assault and battery crimes, over 62% are estimated to be reported to police.
Factors such as the #MeToo Movement are encouraging, with more and more survivors coming forward to report sexual assault crimes. But more action needs to be taken to ensure that all sexual predators are appropriately punished, and all survivors obtain the justice they deserve.
DLG’s Sex Crimes Division is led by Sam Dordulian. Dordulian previously worked as a sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County. In founding DLG, he created a unique and all-encompassing form of sexual assault legal representation known as the SAJE Team.
Together with Dordulian, DLG’s SAJE Team provides critical resources that are available 24/7 throughout the legal process.
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
If you have questions regarding how to file a sexual assault claim or would like to learn more about what the civil claims process entails, contact a member of our dedicated team today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM. DLG and Sam Dordulian have been helping survivors obtain justice for over two decades, securing more than $100 million while maintaining a 98% success record.
Dordulian’s more than 100 jury trial victories and experience as a sex crimes prosecutor are just a few of the reasons why sexual assault survivors consistently choose DLG to handle their claims and secure swift justice.
Contact us today for a free and no obligation consultation with a sexual assault lawyer. There is never any fee until we recover a maximum financial damages award for your claim.
California AB 218, the landmark legislation which took effect in 2020, allows ALL survivors of childhood sexual abuse the opportunity to file a civil claim and obtain justice through financial compensation — regardless of how long ago the crime occurred. But AB 218’s three-year loopback window officially expires at the end of 2022, and survivors who haven’t filed a claim before that time will likely left without any future legal recourse. To speak with a child sexual abuse lawyer, contact us today at 818-322-4056.
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