Former reserve police officer charged with drugging, raping and shaving friend
A former Redondo Beach reserve police officer has been arrested for allegedly drugging an acquaintance, raping him and shaving off the victim's body hair, authorities said.
John Haig Marshall, 53, was arrested Oct. 8 near his home on North Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach, said Sgt. Phil Keenan.
Marshall was booked on charges of rape using an intoxicating substance and released on $100,000 bail. The charges were first reported Monday by the Daily Breeze.
The arrest came after the 29-year-old victim came forward last month to report that Marshall had slipped him some sort of date rape drug and raped and shaved him in late September.
Police searched Marshall's home and recovered evidence that confirmed the victim's account of the sexual assault. They believe he may have assaulted others in the past.
Marshall, who resigned in 1981 after serving nine months as a reserve officer, was the subject of at least two complaints over the last 10 years, alleging he had drugged and sexually abused other men and boys in his home over a 30-year period. But this is the first time he has been charged.
Police ask anyone with more information to call Detective Denise Brenner at (310) 379-2477, Ext. 2320.
-- Tony Barboza
Photo: John Haig Marshall. Credit: Redondo Beach Police Department
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
I'd bet this former copper and homosexual is a member of the Larry Craig closeted homosexual club.
Posted by: Randy | October 21, 2009 at 11:58 AM
@roman polanski...I really shouldn't be laughing at such a tasteless joke. I'm ashamed of myself. lol
Posted by: jenn | October 21, 2009 at 01:02 PM
"was the subject of at least two complaints over the last 10 years, alleging he had drugged and sexually abused other men and boys in his home over a 30-year period. But this is the first time he has been charged. "
What the??? Never charged? Because he was a reserve POLICE officer?
Nice.
Posted by: chrisinCA | October 21, 2009 at 01:13 PM
This is just poor writing.
Posted by: Dustin | October 21, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Its seems odd that a 29 y.o. would go to a friends house to use the computer. He was probably a escort who didn't get what he wanted and put this poor guy on blast. I dislike when gay guys do that ! Im gay and know that there are lots of shady gay guys that would do this to someone if they don't get what they want. This is way out of proportion.
Posted by: Gregg Martinez | October 21, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Victim, I am so sorry you and countless others endured abuse. I really hope justice prevails for you. It is disgusting to pass it off as prosecuting a gay man. It's LA for goodness sake no one cares who is guy, but they do care when people are drugged and raped!!! Especially children, he is sick!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kangaroo | October 21, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I hear that numerous victims are contacting the police and comming forward to tell their stories of their abuse by John Marshall. It's about time...he'll be getting his just punishment real soon in prison, and it will only get better when they find he's a gay, child molester and ex-police officer. It's only so long that he could run, but now he won't be able to hide....time's up!
Posted by: victim | October 23, 2009 at 09:28 PM
I know at least a dozen friends I grew up with that were victims of John Marshall. He enticed these boys with all the 80's cool stuff. Full size video games, ATC's, boats, jet ski's and this Honda Odyssey off road vehicle he would race up and down the block. All this to lure the young boys to his house. Then the drugs would come out and the police affiliation gets mentioned, then the molestation takes place. I have heard countless stories just like this from my past schoolmates, he has ruined countless lives. I hope justice is finally served. I feel those victims deserve compensation in some way, due to the tremendous lack of effort on the part of the RBPD after countless reports of this monster.
Posted by: Todd | October 24, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Greg Martinez,
That is an ignorant preconception! The man in question works on computers as his job. Best Buy has the "geek squad" that comes to your home to set up or trouble shoot computer issues, well that is what the victim does. He did accept a drink which was his only mistake, but who would expect to be drugged and raped?! Especially by someone in your own community. I respect him for coming forward... who knows how many future victims he may have saved!
Posted by: kangaroo | October 26, 2009 at 11:45 AM
TWO REASONS you might mention the subject of this article was a reserve police officer for nine months 30 years ago. 1# After researching him for this article, they found nothing else interesting, and 2# It's shorthand for the reader, that security guard or temporsary cop = control issues. Not a putdown of those jobs, but most people realize career law enforcement officers undergo regular evaluation, testing, etc.. And drugging, shaving and raping some guy gets right back to that!
Posted by: BigMike | October 27, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Devils Advocate: “GOD i hope the men he raped were not heterosexual, this would make it even more traumatic.”
Excuse ME?
Is it “less traumatic” for a straight woman to be raped then it is for a lesbian?
Good god, man...! Rape is rape.
Posted by: Ruddy | October 31, 2009 at 02:26 PM