Chinese PhD student in US allegedly drugged & raped multiple women over 3 years

A 30-year-old Chinese citizen studying at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California, was charged on Sep. 2 after he allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted multiple women.

In a news release on Oct. 15, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (LADA) said that Sizhe Weng (or Steven Weng) had allegedly done so between 2021 and 2024 while pursuing his doctorate at USC.

According to Los Angeles Times (LA Times), Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) launched investigations in January 2025 after they were tipped off by German authorities about a similar case in Europe.

Allegedly drugged women's food or drinks before assaulting them

Over the course of three years, Weng had allegedly administered incapacitating drugs in the women's food or drinks before sexually assaulting them.

German authorities told LAPD officers about a similar case in Europe, allegedly involving a Chinese national believed to be a student in LA.

Information shared between German officials and LAPD led detectives to serve a search warrant at Weng's residence near the USC campus, reported LA Times.

He was arrested on Aug. 28 following the alleged rape of an intoxicated person.

Hamilton said investigators believe there may be additional victims, potentially in Los Angeles and elsewhere, and urged anyone who had contact with Weng to come forward.

He added that the drugs allegedly used in the assaults were similar to roofie, a date rape substance that renders victims physically unable to resist.

While Weng has held a student visa in California since 2021, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that incidents may have occurred earlier.

Pleaded not guilty to eight charges

According to LADA, Weng was charged on Sep. 2 with one felony count of forcible rape, two felony counts of sodomy involving controlled substances or anaesthesia, one felony count of rape by use of a controlled substance, and four felony counts of sexual penetration using controlled substances or anaesthesia.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The court granted the prosecution's request to deny bail.

A preliminary hearing for Weng's case has been set for Jan. 14, 2026.

Hamilton noted that the investigation is ongoing and that detectives are working to uncover the full extent of his alleged activities.

If convicted on all charges, he faces a jail sentence of 25 years to life, plus an additional 56 years in California state prison and would be required to register as a lifetime sex offender.

Top photos via LADA/Facebook & Google Maps