Man convicted of raping Laguna and Huntington women

An Orange County jury last week convicted a Laguna Niguel man of raping two female acquaintances, including one from Laguna Beach, the Orange County district attorney’s office said Tuesday.

Jurors found Babak Azadgilani, 28, guilty of two felony counts of forcible rape and forcible oral copulation, with sentencing enhancements for sex crimes against more than one victim and the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a sexual assault, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office.

Azadgilani faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison at his sentencing March 25.

Azadgilani’s attorney, Jack Earley, said he was “disappointed” with the verdict and added, “We will plan to appeal the conviction.”

Sometime between July and September 2009, Azadgilani sexually assaulted a woman, who did not immediately report the incident, the news release said.

Deputy District Atty. Lexie Elliott later said the woman was 22 and lived in Huntington Beach at the time.

Then, on several occasions in April 2013, Azadgilani ran into another woman — a 41-year-old Laguna Beach resident, Elliott said. Azadgilani knew the woman, but they had not seen each other for several years.

On April 21, 2013, Azadgilani met the Laguna woman at the beach and followed her as she walked home, according to the news release.

Azadgilani eventually convinced the woman to allow him inside. Once inside, Azadgilani raped her, prosecutors said.

After Azadgilani left, the woman called 911 and reported that she had been sexually assaulted.

On May 11, 2013, Azadgilani convinced the Huntington Beach woman who had accused him of sexual assault in 2009 to come to his home.

While there, she confronted Azadgilani about the sexual assault from 2009. Azadgilani became angry, pulled a knife on the victim and raped her, according to prosecutors. The woman did not immediately report the attack.

On May 17, 2013, the Laguna Beach Police Department put out a press release regarding the rape of the Laguna Beach woman, asking that any additional victims to come forward. Azadgilani turned himself in that day.

The Huntington Beach woman reported the crimes against her after police issued the release.