Los Angeles police are asking to hear from any possible victims of a man arrested in Woodland Hills on Sunday on suspicion of multiple sexual assaults.
Investigators said 30-year-old Deontae Williams worked as a massage therapist and security guard and appeared to be a fitness enthusiast. The six-foot-two former football player, originally from South Florida, reportedly spent a lot of time working out at L.A.-area gyms, parks and beaches, where police said he would target alleged victims.
The LAPD has not yet provided details of Williams’ arrest, but investigators alleged he would approach solitary women and give them business cards identifying himself as a personal trainer. He would then engage “in inappropriate sexual conduct,” police said.
A LinkedIn page belonging to Williams described him as a “wellness coach,” with an unspecified certification or training of some kind in physical therapy and sports rehabilitation from the Southern California Health Institute.
The page confirmed Williams seemed to earn the bulk of his income from work as a private security guard, most recently for a branch office of Medtronic Diabetes in Northridge.
According to Williams’ Facebook page, he claimed to be a “fitness coach” at a kickboxing gym in Tarzana since 2017. However, the owner of that facility told KNX Williams only worked there for three weeks "six years ago" as part of a trial run.
She said, in addition to Williams not being adequately "versed" in training concepts, he was "too flirtatious" with female clients and colleagues. The trial was consequently not extended into full-time employment.
"He kept hitting on my girls," she said, "So I had to let him go."
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Williams or has any additional information may call the LAPD’s Topanga Division at (818) 756-4820.
