There are new details about a man accused of giving alcohol to underage girls, then having sex with them. Court documents say the man threatened to hurt the teenage girls if they didn't have oral sex with each other, him, and other men. Police said six months ago, Anthony Searles-Harris was accused of hosting underage drinking parties then having sex with the girls. Wednesday, the 28-year-old was in court facing multiple charges.
"It's still sinking in," said Lori, a neighbor of Searles-Harris in Oildale. Lori would not give 17 News her last name in fear of angering Searles-Harris. She said she didn't see the alcohol but saw teenagers visit often. "They were not really in the house," said Lori. "They were in the yard."
According to court documents, eight females and males under 18 reported that Searles-Harris gave them alcohol. Some also alleged in the document he gave them drugs.
The documents also allege Searles-Harris engaged in sexual acts with girls ages 13 and 17. In the papers, the 17-year-old says Searles-Harris made them perform oral copulation on each other while Harris filmed the acts. The girl also told police Searles-Harris made her and the 13-year-old perform oral copulation on an unknown male in his 30s and that the male paid Searles-Harris for the sexual encounter. The 17-year-old also said Searles-Harris forced himself on her in his bedroom. The girl told police Searles-Harris threatened bodily harm if they did not perform. The documents also said the girls said they had to perform to earn bills and alcoholic beverages.
Neighbors say they're freaked out.
"My son lives next door and he's got kids. Not teenagers but I have teenagers across the street," said Lori.
"I just thought wow," said Joe Thornsbery who lives across the street from the Oildale home. "I never saw anything out of the ordinary."
If convicted, Searles-Harris could face substantial time behind bars and be forced to register as a sex offender. Searles-Harris' bail was set at $160,000. His next court date is October 30th.
