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Authorities Say 19-Year-Old Sexual Assault Suspect Likely Has More Victims

SANTA CLARITA (CBS) — A 19-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting at least 14 girls is facing 29 felony charges.

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LISTEN: KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's station has been flooded with calls since Michael Downs was arrested on Dec. 15.

Authorities launched an investigation earlier this month after one of Downs' alleged victims came forward.

Deputies say victims have come forward every day since Downs was arrested. They believe there are more victims out there and are asking for them contact authorities.

Downs met his alleged victims through social media sites, where he lied about his age and said he knew the girls' friends, authorities said.

"Where they were committed was various places throughout the Santa Clarita Valley inside of homes, near the mall, near the social gathering where they met, just countless places," Lt. Carlos Marquez told CBS2.

Downs has no prior criminal record and attends a continuation high school.

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