News Releases
January 29, 2025: Man Charged with Forcible Rape, Sodomy of 15-Year-Old Victim in the Leimert Park/Crenshaw Neighborhood of Los Angeles
If convicted, Derrick Thompson faces up to 75 years to life in state prison
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that Derrick Dwayne Thompson, 57, is charged with forcibly raping a 15-year-0ld girl on November 30, 2024, in the Crenshaw/Leimert Park neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles.
“As District Attorney, I am committed to keeping violent sexual predators off the streets of Los Angeles County and ensuring that those who commit these heinous crimes are held accountable. Our experienced prosecutors in the Sex Crimes Division will vigorously pursue justice in this case. We are concerned about the possibility of additional victims and urge anyone with information to come forward and contact the LAPD Juvenile Division.”
Derrick Dwayne Thompson (DOB 10/30/67) is charged in case 25CJCF00306 with one felony count of forcible rape; one felony count of sodomy by use of force of a victim 14 or older; and one felony count of sexual penetration by use of force of a minor victim over 14. It is further alleged that the victim was particularly vulnerable.
Thompson was arrested January 15 by the Los Angeles Police Department.
On January 17, Thompson pleaded not guilty at arraignment.
Preliminary hearing setting is set for January 31 in Dept. 36 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
At prosecutors’ request, Thompson is being held on no bail.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson of the office’s Sex Crimes Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Anyone who may have been a victim or has additional information regarding the investigation is asked to contact LAPD’s Juvenile Division at (424) 259-7097. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-8477; or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
For further details, please see the Los Angeles Police Department’s news release from January 23: https://www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/detectives-seeking-additional-sexual-assault-victims-nr25013dm.
The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Derrick Thompson
Photos of the vehicle allegedly used by the defendant:
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