‘SuperFly’ actor and L.A. rapper Kaalan Walker accused of series of sexual assaults
A Los Angeles rapper has been arrested in connection with a series of sexual assaults dating back to 2016, authorities said.
Kaalan Walker, 23, was arrested last month after several women reported that he had sexually assaulted them in separate instances over the last few years, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Wednesday. The Valley Village resident was arraigned this week on nine felony sexual assault charges and is being held in lieu of $1-million bail, police said.
The women, all of whom were aspiring models, told police that Walker contacted them through social media on the pretext of being hired for jobs in the entertainment industry, LAPD Det. Kellie Kropfl said Thursday. The women said that when they met and were alone, Walker sexually assaulted them, Kropfl said.
According to court documents, at least four women have accused Walker of sexually assaulting them between April 2016 and July 2018, in some cases on multiple occasions. He faces five counts of forcible rape, one count of forcible oral copulation and three counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, according to court records.
Walker pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Nov. 14, said Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office .
Walker began his career as a rapper, under the stage name “KR.” He released an EP last year and went on to appear in several films alongside actors such as Halle Berry and Daniel Craig, according to Billboard. Most recently, he played a gang member in the movie “SuperFly,” released in June, which follows a young drug dealer in Atlanta.
In an interview with Billboard, Walker spoke about being raised by a single mother and moving to different areas of Los Angeles throughout his life. Walker said he has battled depression and suicide attempts.
“It’s not all glitz and glamour behind the scenes,” he said.
Anyone with information about the case can call detectives at (818) 374-9500.
Twitter: @r_valejandra
UPDATES:
12:35 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the LAPD and the district attorney’s office regarding the charges.
This article was originally published at 9:50 a.m.
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