Man Accused Of Sexual Assault To Face Judge Today

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Joshua Daniel Stevens, 26, will face a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial today. Stevens pleaded not guilty to three counts each of assault with intent to comment a sex crime and false imprisonment by violence after allegedly grabbing women in Beverly Hills.

According to police and prosecutors, the crimes occurred in July in the Beverly Hills downtown area: the 200 block of North Rodeo Drive, 400 block of North Canon Drive and 9600 block of South Santa Monica Boulevard. Prosecutors said two of the women were accosted in parking garages, while a third was approached on a sidewalk.

"In each case, the suspect approached a female victim and made physical contact by grabbing the victim," according to Beverly Hills police. "The victims were each able to retreat from the suspect and sustained minimal or no physical injuries."

Stevens was arrested at Dayton Way and Canon Drive, said Beverly Hills police Lt. Scott Dowling. Police had distributed Stevens' photo to area businesses and the public, and somebody who recognized him called police.

He faces more than 33 years if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office.
According to prosecutors, Stevens was convicted last year of "terroristic threatening" in Arkansas. Details on that conviction were not immediately available.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this report; Image via Shutterstock