Owner of C-Viche restaurant in Milwaukee appears in court over sexual assault allegations
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee restaurant owner who faces felony charges after allegedly sexually assaulting at least five women, made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
The criminal complaint alleges that Karlos J. Soriano-Cabrera raped or sexually assaulted several women, including employees who worked at the C-Viche Peruvian restaurant in Bay View.
The 40-year-old co-owner faces four felony counts of third-degree sexual assault and one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree sexual assault.
On Wednesday, Judge Jean Kies asked Attorney Robert Gerald Lebell what his client's plea was in terms of the misdemeanor, and he responded, 'not guilty.'
The criminal complaint details four incidents between March of 2017 and September of 2022.
The employees described their work environment as "toxic." The victims told investigators that sexual misconduct occurred on a daily basis.
The complaint states that one woman claims he grabbed "inappropriately" and made "multiple attempts to corner her and kiss her."
Adding instances where he supposedly exposed himself, and sexually assaulted them.
In one instance, an employee remembers "having one drink at the bar with the defendant and recalled waking up the next day on her apartment floor, naked…She recalled waking up ...And her vision was blurry, and she felt lethargic…(she) stated that she felt pain in her vagina, had bruises on her back, a concussion and a chipped tooth."
At least two women received sexual assault examinations and the state crime lab found Soriano-Cabrera's DNA.
Last September, his wife paid $15,000 in cash for bail, and on Wednesday, the judge added an additional $10,000.
"I am concerned about the possibility of flight given his resources," Judge Kies added. "You may have absolutely no firearms or dangerous weapons and you must surrender your passport to the clerk of court."
The judge also ordered absolutely no contact with the alleged victims.
Soriano-Cabrera faces up to 40 years and nine months in prison and could also be fined up to $110,000.
He is due back in court on April 24 at 1:30 p.m.