A man who prosecutors said robbed and sexually assaulted college students in a south Mission Beach apartment last month before fleeing to Arizona pleaded not guilty yesterday to felony charges.
Antonio Washington, 18, faces 19 charges, including forcible rape, robbery and kidnapping. He surrendered Oct. 20 in Glendale, Ariz., where his father lives, and was extradited to San Diego.
If convicted, Washington could be sent to prison for 300 years to life. He is being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Prosecutors say Washington was among a group of men who entered an unlocked apartment on San Fernando Place on Oct. 15, held two couples at gunpoint and then raped the two women.
The assailants tried to force the women to leave with them but let them go when they saw a patrol car, authorities said. The victims, University of San Diego students, called police about 3:15 a.m.
Washington is one of three adults who has been arraigned in connection with the attacks. Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and are being held in Juvenile Hall.
A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing property stolen in the robberies and of being an accessory to the crimes after the fact; however, he was later released.
Prosecutors have said the investigation is ongoing.
Dana Littlefield: (619) 542-4590; dana.littlefield@uniontrib.com
