CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's Note: This story discusses sexual assault. While no acts are explicitly detailed, reader discretion is advised.
A former Mecklenburg County Health Department employee, already under investigation for sexual assault, is now being charged with sexually assaulting six additional victims, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced Friday. CMPD investigators believe there could still be additional victims.
The suspect, 41-year-old Daniel Pitti-Casazola, was working as a Spanish interpreter with the health department when he was arrested. He was charged with felony sexual contact under the pretext of medical treatment.
Pitti-Casazola is accused of allegedly posing as a medical professional.
Investigators said Pitti-Casazola would accommodate medical professionals to a home to act as a legitimate interpreter. He is accused of then making unauthorized returns to the home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted victims who thought they were receiving follow-up medical examinations.
“His visits consisted of a sexual assault of these victims,” Lt. James Ivie, of CMPD's Special Victims Division, said Friday. “I want to be clear that in none of these sexual assaults was there an actual rape, but there were other forms of sexual inappropriate sexual contact.”
Under North Carolina law, rape is defined as specifically involving “vaginal penetration” while sexual assault does not include “vaginal intercourse.”
Sexual assault, under North Carolina law, happens when someone touches another person in a sexual manner without their consent or when someone makes another person take part in a sexual activity with them without that person's consent. This could include unwanted kissing and sexual touching.
Investigators accuse Pitti-Casazola of sexually assaulting seven victims between February and July. All the victims were Hispanic women between the ages of 19 and 32, CMPD said. All the women spoke Spanish.
"Pitti-Casazola preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of our community," Lt. Ivie said.
The first victim came forward on July 11, claiming that Pitti-Casazola impersonated a doctor and gave her an exam at her home. The woman said she'd previously spoken to the suspect over the phone and recognized his voice, which made her feel comfortable with the situation.
“The day before she received a phone call from the subject, basically stating that he wanted to come by her home the next day and complete a medical exam on her," Caitlin Figueroa, an officer with CMPD, said previously. "She recognized his voice from previous calls."
Pitti-Casazola was arrested in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
CMPD is urging any other victims to come forward in the case. During a news conference Friday, investigators stressed that they never ask the immigration status of those contacting the police for help or with a crime tip. Due to Pitti-Casazola's line of work, CMPD believes additional victims may be hesitant to come forward over concerns about immigration status.
Anyone with information about this incident or any other case involving Pitti-Casazola is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Anyone who believes they may also be a victim is asked to call 704-336-8279 and speak directly to a Sex Assault Unit detective.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshot of the suspect in this cause because police are looking for more potential victims.
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