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Designer Anand Jon slapped with 13 more charges
June 13, 2007 08:53 IST

India-born celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was on Tuesday charged with 13 more counts of sexual assault.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, the new counts in California add six new victims, bringing the total to 18.

Thirty three-year-old Alexander, who was first arrested by the Beverly Hills Police on March 6, now faces 46 felonies and misdemeanours charges, ranging from rape and sexual battery to committing a lewd act on a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor by giving her liquor, authorities said.

Jon had in April pleaded not guilty to all charges in Los Angeles

County Superior Court. The court later granted the designer bail after he paid $1.365 million as bail amount.

Jon is a well-known figure in the celebrity fashion world, designing clothes for Paris Hilton, Mary J Blige and others. He was the subject of articles in magazines such as People and Star and was a judge on the show 'America's Top Model.'

He was initially charged with seven counts, including forcible rape, lewd acts upon a child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexual battery by restraint and attempted forcible oral copulation. Superior Court Judge Eldon Fox had ordered that a guardian, Jon's mother, be present if any women under the age of 30 are at her son's job.

Prosecutors say Jon is a serial sex offender who lured women and girls with promises of modeling work.
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