Anthony Jones Now Faces Life Sentence Without Possibility of Parole
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Anthony Jones, initially charged with sexually assaulting two women in the Venice Canals neighborhood on April 6, now faces an additional charge of murder with special circumstance allegations of forcible rape and forcible sodomy.
This new charge comes 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,” said District Attorney Gascón. “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.”
According to the amended complaint, Anthony Francisco Jones, born September 12, 1994, is now charged with one count of murder, alongside the previous charges which include 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 special circumstances of the murder, committed during the course of rape and sodomy, carry a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jones is scheduled to appear in court on June 11 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse for a preliminary hearing setting.
The assaults occurred on April 6, between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., when Jones allegedly attacked two female victims, one in her mid-40s and one in her mid-50s, while they were alone outside in the Venice Canals neighborhood.
Jones is currently being held without bail. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
