Accused serial rapist indicted on new charges after 2 more victims came forward

PHOENIX — An accused serial rapist was recently indicted on new charges after two more victims came forward, officials announced.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO), 24-year-old Alex Bangash was indicted on seven charges, including two counts of kidnapping, three counts of sexual assault and two counts of aggravated assault.

Prosecutors said that one of the women accused Bangash of sexually assaulting her at a Gilbert park in December 2022. They added that the other said he sexually assaulted her at his home in Tempe in July 2023.

What other charges does the accused serial rapist face?

According to MCAO, Bangash was previously indicted in connection with the sexual assault of five other woman — one of who was allegedly a minor at the time. Those charges include:

• Six counts of sexual assault
• One count of kidnapping
• Four counts of aggravated assault
• One count of stalking
• Two counts of sexual abuse
• Five counts of assault
• One count of use of electronic communication to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass
• Two counts of threatening or intimidating.

Bangash was also charged with one count of interference with monitoring devices in a separate case after he cut his ankle monitor and fled the state.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, he bolted on March 10 while awaiting trial and was found working as a farm hand in rural Texas in exchange for room and board in an attempt to avoid being found.

The U.S. Marshals joined the Tempe Police Department Critical Investigations Unit on the search, which included multiple warrants and court orders to sniff out the accused serial rapist’s trail through New Mexico and into Texas.

Tempe police originally arrested Bangash in September 2023 in connection with a string of crimes dating back to 2018.

Prosecutors said that Bangash is currently being held and is non-bondable.

Related

Dangerous Arizona fugitive captured in Texas after multistate manhuntArizona man charged with hate crime for synagogue fireSinaloa Cartel member pleads guilty to drug charges in ArizonaJay Feely projected winner in CD-1; Dem race still too close to callMark Lamb wins AZ-5 Republican primary, will face newcomer Elizabeth LeeAndy Biggs projected winner in Arizona governor primary, will face Katie Hobbs