CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above originally aired on January 4, 2021.
On Friday, a grand jury indicted 27-year-old Christian Burks for the sexual assault and kidnapping of several women in downtown Cleveland during a two-year period.
The news was released by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley who called Burks a "serial sexual predator," who will be held accountable for his actions.
The Cleveland Division of Police’s Sex Crimes Unit conducted an investigation that connected Burks to the crimes. The crimes allegedly took place from December 2018 to December 2020.
As a result of the incidents, Burks now faces the following charges:
- Eight counts of Rape
- Seven counts of Kidnapping
- Six counts of Gross Sexual Imposition
- One count of Abduction
- One count of Domestic Violence
- One count of Theft
- One count of Misuse of credit cards
The specific allegations are as follows:
Dec. 9, 2018
Burks attended a party at an apartment on East 4th Street near Prospect Avenue. The victim, a 20-year-old woman, was inside a room at the party laying down when she was sexually assaulted by Burks, despite her repeated attempts to stop him.
May 24, 2020
The victim, a 23-year-old woman, and a male friend, 23, requested and Uber outside of a bar on West 6th Street and Johnson Court. Both entered Burks car believing it was there ride. Burks drove the two to a gas station on Lorain Avenue near Fulton Road. When the male friend exited the car to buy water, Burks fled the gas station with the victim still in the car. The woman was later dropped off at a her home after Burks stole her credit cards and used them to make several purchases.
May 27, 2020
Burks was arguing with a woman near West 38th Street and Vine Court when he picked the woman up and forced her into his car. As he fled, the victim yelled for help and tried to exit the car near the Eddy Road exit ramp on Interstate 90. There, Burks grabbed the woman by her neck, dragged her back to the car and sped away.
Nov. 15, 2020
A 21-year-old girl was at a bar near West 6th Street and Lakeside Avenue when she was separated from friends. She was sexually assaulted by Burks multiple times in car, despite her repeated attempts to stop him.
Dec. 14, 2020
The victim, a 22-year-old woman and a friend requested an Uber outside of a bar on West6th street near Johnson Court. When the Uber arrived, the victim's friend realized she was no with her. Burks sexually assaulted the victim in another vehicle, took her to an East Cleveland motel, and fled the scene before police arrived.
During his arraignment on Friday, Burks pled not guilty to the crimes and his bond was set at $250,000. His pretrial is scheduled for Thursday, April 15 at 9 a.m.