Man Suspected Of String Of Sexual Batteries Near USC Arrested

USC's Department of Public Safety announced the arrest of the man officers believe to be behind a series of sexual batteries over the last few months.

The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Javier David Cardosa, 21, with help from DPS, surveillance footage and the identification by a victim.

DPS said Cardosa has admitted to the crimes.

Some victims of the 12 incidences spoke out Wednesday in reaction to the news.

"It makes me feel a lot safer that he's been caught because there's been times when I'm walking home from school, I always wonder like, 'could this happen again to me?'" Sarah Hansen said.

Alana Bracken, another victim, was also relieved to hear the announcement.

"It's been an ongoing thing all semester and it's kind of good that it's now over and finished and we don't have to worry about it next semester," Barcken said. "That guy's a jerk. He should be caught."

DPS officials said students should always take precautions.

"What we need is a partnership with the students to not do anything to put them in a position to be vulnerable," said David Carlisle, DPS deputy chief.

"It's a very difficult crime to prevent but generally when you're aware of your surroundings and you're traveling with groups of friends, you're less likely to be victimized."

About 20 cases of sexual battery have been reported to DPS over the past couple of months, Carlisle reported. Eight of these were unrelated to this particular suspect.