A 23-year-old man accused in a series of assaults on women in North Park over the past four months pleaded not guilty Thursday to 18 felony charges, including sexual penetration by force.
David Angelo Drake II, who was arrested Monday, was ordered held on $5 million bail. He faces 114 years to life in prison if convicted.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Golovato said Drake is charged in connection with assaults on seven different women from April 30 to Aug. 28.
On Aug, 28, a woman was knocked to the ground and punched in the face around 11:30 p.m. in an alley near Idaho Street and University Avenue. The assailant ran off when the victim screamed and several witnesses came to her aid.
That night, a roadside surveillance camera captured pictures of a potential suspect in the assault series. The images were made public, prompting the tip that led to Drake's arrest, San Diego police said.
On July 20, a woman was attacked from behind and knocked out on Lincoln Avenue near Kansas Street.
About 1 a.m. June 24, a woman was jumped from behind while walking on Lincoln Avenue, near Oregon Street. The attacker tackled her and pummeled her in the face, causing her to lose consciousness.
Drake is charged in sexual assaults on June 11, June 21 and Aug. 12, according to a criminal complaint.
Defense attorney Dan Greene said Drake has no criminal record and is "scared" after being arrested.
"He's never been in trouble before, he's never been in a jail cell before," Greene said of Drake.
The attorney noted possible identification issues in the case.
Drake is charged with multiple counts of assault with intent to commit a felony, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, sexual penetration by force and a single count of robbery.
He will be back in court Tuesday for a bail review.
