Carlsbad police have arrested a man accused of luring a 20-year-old college student to a North County motel room by falsely promising her a modeling photoshoot, and then assaulting and restraining her with plastic zip-ties.
According to the Carlsbad Police Department, Oceanside resident Matthew Terrell, 27, allegedly lured his victim to a Motel 6 in the 1000 block of Carlsbad Village Drive on Jun. 9.
He had met his victim on the online dating website “OK Cupid” and had promised to take modeling photographs of her at the motel.
Thinking it was a modeling opportunity, police say the victim met Terrell at the motel just before 11:30 a.m. Once in the room, Terrell restrained the woman with plastic zip-ties.
Police say the victim struggled, screamed and fought against the assault. Other motel guests heard the struggle and her screams from outside the room and reported the incident to authorities.
When police arrived at the motel to investigate the disturbance, they found Terrell and the victim inside the room.
Police arrested Terrell on suspicion of false imprisonment with violence and assault with the intent to commit rape or a sexual act. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility and is scheduled to appear in court on June 20.
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Investigators believe Terrell has committed similar crimes within the past six months. Police are now seeking additional assault victims linked to Terrell.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are asking any additional victims of similar crimes to come forward by contacting Carlsbad Police Department Det. Jeff Smith at (760) 931-2146.
