USC Graduate Student Arrested, Accused of Serial Sexual Assaults
A USC graduate student, Sizhe Weng, also known as Steven Weng, is facing serious accusations of being a serial sexual predator. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced that Weng, a 30-year-old Chinese national, allegedly used drugs to rape and assault multiple women. Authorities are currently seeking additional victims who may have had contact with him.
Arrest and Charges
Sizhe Weng was arrested on August 28 and is being held without bail. On September 2, he was charged with eight felony counts, including rape, sodomy, and sexual penetration involving drugs and anesthesia. Weng has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office detailed the charges, which include one felony count of forcible rape, two felony counts of sodomy by controlled substance or anesthesia, one felony count of rape by controlled substance, and four felony counts of sexual penetration by controlled substance or anesthesia. If convicted as charged, Weng faces 25 years to life plus 56 years in California state prison and would be required to register as a sex offender for life.
Investigation Details
The investigation into Weng began in January after German authorities contacted the LAPD about a similar investigation in Europe involving a Chinese national. The German authorities had learned that the individual was a student living in Los Angeles for several years. This tip led to a collaborative investigation involving the FBI and the German Federal Criminal Police. Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton of the LAPD stated that the information gathered by the LAPD and German authorities led to detectives serving a search warrant at Weng’s home near the USC campus in South Los Angeles.
During the search of Weng's residence, detectives found evidence corroborating his involvement in multiple drug-facilitated sexual assaults dating back to 2021 and continuing into 2025.
Modus Operandi
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Weng is accused of sexually assaulting three women after placing incapacitating drugs in their food and/or drinks between 2021 and 2024. Deputy Chief Hamilton noted that the drugs used rendered the victims physically unable to respond, similar to the effects of the date rape drug commonly called a "roofie". Authorities believe that Weng was an "opportunist" who drugged his victims before allegedly sexually assaulting them.
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The public complaint also alleges that Weng “took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit [the offenses].” It further states that the “manner in which [he] carried out [the offenses] indicates planning, sophistication, and professionalism.”
Call for Additional Victims
The LAPD strongly suspects there may be other victims and is encouraging them to come forward. Deputy Chief Hamilton urged potential victims to contact the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-486-6890. Anonymous tips can be submitted through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers. Hamilton emphasized the importance of victims coming forward, stating, “I know a lot of times there’s trepidation in terms of victims coming forward because they think they could be re-victimized.”
District Attorney Nathan Hochman echoed this sentiment, stating, "We want every victim to know that their voices matter and we will fight to ensure you are heard."
USC's Response
The University of Southern California released a statement regarding Weng’s arrest, emphasizing their commitment to providing a safe environment for learning, teaching, and research. The university confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the Los Angeles Police Department in this matter. While USC cannot discuss individual cases due to student privacy laws, they confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to bar Weng from campus pending the resolution of the criminal proceedings.
Assistant Chief David Carlisle of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) clarified that DPS has no involvement in the case, which the LAPD is handling. USC has not received any reports from individuals potentially impacted, but the university encourages anyone who needs support to contact USC Report & Response, the Confidential Advocacy, Resources, and Education Support Center (CARE-SC), or the USC Office of Civil Rights Compliance.
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Legal Proceedings
Weng had a student visa in California since 2021. Weng pleaded not guilty at a Sept. 2 arraignment, court records show. He is being held without bail pending a preliminary hearing set for January 14, 2026, at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. A date is scheduled to be set then for a hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to allow the case to proceed to trial.
Community Safety Concerns
The USC community has faced other safety concerns. Groups of teenage males on bicycles have been riding around the city of Los Angeles, including the USC community, routinely robbing pedestrians of their phones, randomly assaulting people, and continually violating traffic laws. These bicyclists, who are mostly under 18, sometimes ride in groups as large as 100.
Examples of Incidents
- A victim was walking on the sidewalk when suspects snatched his phone.
- A student's purse was stolen from a Taco Bell.
- A victim was punched in the face during an attempted backpack theft.
- A victim was assaulted and had his e-scooter stolen at the center of campus.
- A shoplifting suspect forcibly took a bicycle from a student while escaping the USC Bookstore.
- A suspect punched a victim in the face, knocking her to the ground and scratching her face.
- Victims had their phones snatched by suspects on bicycles.
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