LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for individuals who may have been victims of an extortion plot of Jose E. Morales to come forward. Morales was taken into custody by officers from the LAPD Rampart Division on April 26.
According to the LAPD Blog, on April 3, at 3:00 p.m., one of Morales’ victims visited a business, a legal office in the 500 block of N. Alvarado Blvd., where the suspect was employed. The victim, thought Morales was a licensed lawyer and asked for assistance with her husband’s immigration case. During the visit, Morales became sexually aggressive with the victim who immediately left his office. Over the next few days, Morales continually contacted the victim offering discounted legal services for her husband’s case in exchange for sex, which the victim refused.
The suspect told the victim he would not work on her husband’s case and he would have her U-Visa revoked unless she had sex with him. The victim contacted the local bar association to report Morales, and was informed to file a police report. The victim reported Morales to the LAPD Rampart Area and he was arrested.
Morales was employed at the legal office for at least 10 years, maybe longer. Detectives believe there are numerous other victims and are asking them to come forward.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Rampart Robbery Area Detectives at (213) 484-3640. During non-business hours or on weekends, please contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
