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Anthony Jones has been charged with special circumstances murder after one of the sexual assault victims dies

VENICE, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced that Anthony Jones, who is charged with sexually assaulting two women in the Venice Canals neighborhood on April 6, has now been additionally charged with murder with special circumstance allegations that he committed a forcible rape and forcible sodomy during the commission of the murder.

The additional charge was included after one of the victims succumbed to her injuries on May 24.

“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends during this unimaginably tragic time,” District Attorney Gascón said. “We are committed to seeking justice for both victims of these heinous crimes. The additional murder charge carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, in addition to the life sentences for the crimes previously alleged.”

Per the amended complaint, Anthony Francisco Jones (dob 09/12/94) is now additionally charged in case 24ARCF00535 with one count of murder, along with the previously charged two counts of forcible rape, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, one count of mayhem, one count of torture, and one count of sodomy by use of force.

The murder is alleged to have occurred during the course of rape and sodomy, both special circumstances carrying a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jones is due in court on June 11 in Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse for preliminary hearing setting.

On April 6 between 10:30-11:30 p.m., Jones allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted two female victims, one in her mid-40s and one in her mid-50s, as they each were alone outside in the Venice Canal neighborhood.

He is being held without bail.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.