Two new sex charges involving a fifth victim were filed on April 9 against the owner of a La Jolla Italian restaurant who is accused of sexually assaulting women, some of whom may have been unconscious at the time.
Daniel Dorado, 59, the owner of Voce Del Mare, pleaded not guilty to the new charges before San Diego Superior Court Judge David Rubin.
His trial is now set for May 10.
Dorado retained attorney Brian White, who represented the Christian Mingle rapist who is in prison.
Dorado remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility on $900,000 bail. He was arrested March 28 by San Diego Police.
Deputy District Attorney Katherine Flaherty said the charges include rape and oral copulation of an unconscious person, sexual battery, and assault with intent to commit rape.
Flaherty said the latest victim was allegedly assaulted in 2014. The most recent incident was in January, but the other victims were allegedly assaulted in 2009, 2015, and 2017.
“All of the victims told very similar stories,” said Flaherty.
A preliminary hearing is still set for April 13, but it is very likely it will be delayed since he got a new attorney, said Flaherty.
No one could be reached by phone at the restaurant which is located at 5721 La Jolla Boulevard in the Bird Rock area. KGTV (Channel 10) aired an interview with a young woman in shadows who said Dorado interviewed her about a job in the restaurant and offered her some wine. She said she next recalled waking up in the restaurant at 4 a.m. and neither she or Dorado were wearing clothing.