One man’s alleged double life as a promising university scholar and an accused serial predator has triggered an international criminal investigation and renewed scrutiny of how safe American campuses really are for women.
Story Snapshot
- USC Ph.D. student Sizhe Weng charged with eight felonies, including drug-facilitated rape, spanning 2021-2024
- Case launched after a tip from German authorities linked crimes across continents
- LAPD and LA District Attorney urge potential victims to come forward, hinting the scope may extend further
- USC’s institutional response and the cross-border nature set this case apart from campus scandals past
Allegations Unfold: Scholar, Suspect, and the Campus in Crisis
Los Angeles police arrested Sizhe Weng, a 30-year-old Chinese national and USC doctoral student, on August 28, 2025, after a tip from German investigators cracked open a case that many now fear is only beginning. Prosecutors charged Weng with eight felony counts: from forcible rape to sexual penetration by controlled substance, spanning a chilling three-year period. Weng’s arrest and charges followed a January 2025 probe set in motion when German authorities identified a similar drug-facilitated assault case involving a Chinese national. The cross-Atlantic tip linked Weng to a series of alleged assaults in Los Angeles, sending shockwaves through the university and local law enforcement.
USC PhD student Weng Sizhe charged with multiple rapes and drugging women https://t.co/KRyQDH4R4X
— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) October 16, 2025
Evidence recovered at Weng’s residence corroborated the mounting allegations. Detectives allege that Weng used incapacitating drugs—delivered via food or drink—to facilitate sexual assaults on multiple women. The full count of alleged victims remains unknown, but authorities believe more may come forward. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office emphasized the seriousness and scale: “No one should ever have to endure the trauma of being drugged, sexually assaulted and stripped of their ability to consent,” stated DA Nathan J. Hochman. LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division echoed the call, urging anyone with information to reach out.
Campus Repercussions and Institutional Safeguards Under Fire
USC, a university that has faced previous scrutiny regarding campus safety and sexual assault, responded by barring Weng from campus and pledging full cooperation with law enforcement. The administration asserted, “Providing a safe environment for learning, teaching, and research is our top priority.” Still, the university community—students, faculty, and staff—grappled with unease. Weng, who pleaded not guilty, now finds his academic achievements overshadowed by allegations that have upended perceptions of safety and trust within the institution. The university’s reputation and crisis management strategies will remain under the microscope as the case unfolds.
The cross-border dimension of this investigation has added layers of complexity. Weng’s status as a foreign national raises questions about legal process, immigration, and international cooperation. German involvement in the probe underscores how criminal behavior can transcend borders and how crucial international law enforcement collaboration has become in the digital era. The public announcement on October 15, 2025, by both the DA and LAPD, signaled a new phase—one in which the hunt for additional victims could expand beyond Southern California, and perhaps outside the U.S.
Implications for Victims, Justice, and Campus Culture
The impact of the case extends well beyond the courtroom. For alleged victims and their families, the trauma is immediate and profound. For USC and its student body, the scandal threatens not only the sense of security but also the institution’s standing as a destination for international scholars. The broader Los Angeles community is watching closely, as are other universities that may now revisit their own safety protocols and reporting mechanisms. Legal experts note that if convicted, Weng could face a sentence of 25 years to life plus 56 years in state prison—a stark reminder of the gravity of the charges.
University of Southern California grad student charged with multiple rapes and drugging women https://t.co/OwobPXYcEK pic.twitter.com/y7nbRtM7e8
— The Independent (@Independent) October 16, 2025
The case also spotlights the growing awareness and risks of drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) in academic settings. Authorities’ ongoing call for additional victims, both locally and abroad, hints that this may only be the beginning. The scale and audacity of the alleged crimes, coupled with the challenge of prosecuting a foreign national, ensure this case will remain a point of debate for years to come. As the investigation continues, the story of Sizhe Weng and the institutional response may well become a touchstone in the national conversation about campus safety, sexual violence, and the responsibilities of America’s most storied universities.
Sources:
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
