Southern California Drug Rehab Guru Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — The Malibu based drug rehabilitation facility owner Christopher Bathum was arrested on charges of sexual assault on Thursday.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau are now seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential additional victims in a sexual assault case involving former southern California businessman, Christopher Bathum.

Bathum formerly owned and operated several drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities called “Community Recovery.

There were a total of thirteen Community Recovery treatment centers in Los Angeles County and Orange County, and six in the State of Colorado: in Anaheim, West Adams, Calabasas, Malibu, Woodland Hills, Hollywood and Colorado.

"In May 2016, detectives began investigating several allegations of sexual assaults taking place between the years 2012 and 2016, at the Community Recovery treatment facilities, which involved former clients of Mr. Bathum," Officer Guillermina Saldaña, Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.

"On November 10, 2016, 55-year-old, Christopher Bathum was arrested for several counts of Sexual Assault and booked at Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station."

Bathum will be arraigned at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday, November 15, 2016.

Detectives believe it is possible other former clients of Mr. Bathum were sexually assaulted, according to Saldaña's report.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.

"If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call 'Crime Stoppers' by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the 'P3 Tips' Mobile APP, or 'P3 Mobile' for the hearing impaired, on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.

Photo, courtesy Sheriff’s Information Bureau