LA Fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was sentenced Monday to 59 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting aspiring models he lured to Los Angeles. The 35 year fashion designer was expressionless as Superior Court Judge David Wesley said Alexander should be incarcerated as long as possible for preying upon young girls and women. Alexander was convicted in November of 14 counts including forcible rape. He was found not guilty of four felonies, and jurors could not reach a verdict on three counts.
His victims, some of whom spoke at the hearing, ranged in age from 14 to 21. Prosecutors said Alexander often found women online, baited them with promises of glamorous photo shoots and other modeling work, only to fondle or rape them at his Beverly Hills apartment.
Alexander has asked for a new trial. Wesley has already turned down a previous motion for a new trial after it was discovered that juror Alvin Dymally had contacted Alexander’s sister Sanjana.
The designer has been featured on the television show "America’s Next Top Model” and worked with such celebrities as Paris Hilton and Mary J. Blige. Born in India Alexander graduated from The Parsons School of Design in New York and launched a fashion line in 1999.