A 44-year-old Inglewood man allegedly killed and robbed two males he met by means of a courting web site earlier than savagely beating a 3rd, prosecutors stated Monday.
Rockim Prowell was charged with two counts of homicide, one depend of tried homicide and a number of counts of carjacking and housebreaking in a string of assaults from 2021 to 2025, in line with a legal criticism made public Monday. In every case, Los Angeles County prosecutors stated, Prowell met his victims by means of on-line courting.
“Think about the fear and horror these victims felt after being duped into believing they had been assembly for one motive, solely to face inexplicable violence,” Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman stated in an announcement. “These had been predatory acts that confirmed a complete disregard of life.”
In July 2021, Prowell met up with Miguel Angel King, 51, after they linked on a courting app, in line with a information launch issued Monday by the district legal professional’s workplace. Prosecutors allege that Prowell shot King and stole his automobile, which was discovered every week later. Forensic proof collected from the car linked Prowell to the killing, in line with the district legal professional’s workplace. King’s stays had been discovered within the Angeles Nationwide Forest the subsequent month.
On the time of King’s loss of life, Prowell was awaiting trial on a number of counts of housebreaking and theft. He was arrested in Could 2021, courtroom information present, and allegedly killed King two months earlier than the district legal professional’s workplace provided him a plea deal that positioned him on probation.
A spokesman for the district legal professional’s workplace declined to touch upon the prior plea settlement or determine the courting app utilized in every assault.
The L.A. County public defender’s workplace, which final represented Prowell in 2021, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Prowell was scheduled to be arraigned Monday, however his listening to was delayed to Oct. 16, in line with a district legal professional’s workplace spokesperson.
In August 2023, prosecutors stated Prowell met up with Robert Gutierrez, 53, after once more utilizing a courting web site to attach.
Gutierrez’s household reported him lacking every week later and his physique was by no means discovered, prosecutors stated. However when Prowell was arrested final week, prosecutors stated they discovered Gutierrez’s car in his storage.
This 12 months, prosecutors say Prowell additionally lured a 40-year-old man to satisfy him by means of the identical courting web site, after which he “certain the sufferer, stole his pockets and beat him with a baseball bat,” in line with the information launch. The person escaped, however Prowell chased after him in a automobile, operating him over and breaking his leg.
Prosecutors might pursue the loss of life penalty in opposition to Prowell, however a choice on whether or not to take action should be authorised by a committee throughout the district legal professional’s workplace.
