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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who police believe was preying on homeless women to sexually assault may have kept a list of his victims, according to court documents.
Robert Joseph Davis, 45, of Murray, was charged Tuesday in 3rd District Court with aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping, both first-degree felonies.
The investigation began after Davis allegedly sexually assault a woman he had picked up near the Midvale Cemetery, according to police.
On April 25, a woman said Davis drove by her several times before stopping and asking if she wanted a ride, charging documents state. The two "cruised" around for a while before Davis took the woman to his apartment Murray, according to the charges.
At the apartment, Davis took off his pants, displayed a knife and told the woman, "You're going to do it," the charges state. He then held the knife to the woman's throat and assaulted her, according to charges. When Davis was done, the woman ran out of the apartment to get help.
She described to police in detail what the inside of Davis' apartment looked like, particularly his "large collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia, including a large Yoda figurine," a police affidavit states.
When detectives interviewed Davis, he denied knowing the woman. But when officers served a search warrant on his apartment, "the interior of the apartment appeared as (the woman) had described, including the 'Star Wars' memorabilia," according to the report.
It was during the search of Davis' apartment that police found a handwritten list in his bedroom, according to the charges.
"The list contained names of females and how (Davis) met them, for example on Meet Me or (at a) bus stop," the charges state.
Detectives further learned that the names on the list had filed police reports claiming Davis was "harassing them, threatening them, and/or had sexually assaulted them," according to the charges.
Police also noted in the affidavit that Davis has a "self-admitted pattern of picking up homeless females and taking them to his home."
Investigators believe there are other names on the list who have not contacted police but could also be victims of a sexual assault by Davis, the charges state. Anyone who may have been assaulted by Davis is encouraged to contact police.
Prosecutors have requested Davis be held in the Salt Lake County Jail on no bail.
Sexual Assault Resources:
- The 24/7 Utah Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line is 1-888-421-1100. This free hotline is available 24/7.
- The Utah Domestic Violence Link Line is 1-800-897-LINK (5465). This free hotline is available 24/7.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673. This free hotline is available 24/7.
- A list of local and statewide Utah Rape Crisis Programs can be found here.
- Resources for survivors of sexual assault can be found on the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault's website.
- A list of warning signs for an unhealthy or abusive relationship can be found on breakthecycle.com.
- Resources for teen dating violence victims and prevention can be found on teendvmonth.org.
- National and local resources for victims, families and educators can be found on The National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website.
