Los Angeles, November 2, 2025 — In a landmark verdict that shook both Hollywood and the legal community, David Pearce, a self-styled Hollywood producer accused of multiple rapes and two murders, was sentenced to 146 years in state prison on Friday.
The sentence caps a chilling saga of exploitation and deceit that spanned nearly a decade, exposing the dark side of Los Angeles’ entertainment underworld.
Pearce, 42, had posed as a film producer and industry insider to lure aspiring models and actresses before drugging and assaulting them using a mixture of GHB and fentanyl. Two women, Christy Giles (24) and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola (26), died after being left outside Los Angeles hospitals in 2021.
Judge Calls Crimes ‘Predatory and Calculated’
During sentencing, Judge Stephanie Han of the Los Angeles Superior Court called Pearce’s crimes “predatory, calculated, and fueled by narcissism.”
“You weaponized trust and ambition to prey on women who believed they were meeting a legitimate professional contact,” Han said. “This court finds no remorse and no redemption in your actions.”
The 146-year sentence includes consecutive terms for:
Two counts of second-degree murder
Eight counts of forcible rape
Six counts of sexual battery by restraint
Two counts of administration of a controlled substance to commit a felony
Pearce’s co-defendants, Michael Ansbach and Brandt Osborn, both pleaded guilty earlier to accessory charges and received lesser sentences.
Victims’ Families Speak Out
Family members of Christy Giles and Hilda Cabrales-Arzola attended the hearing, many in tears as they delivered emotional statements.
“Christy had dreams, light, and trust in the world,” said her mother, Dusty Giles, addressing Pearce directly. “You destroyed that for your own pleasure. Now justice has finally found you.”
Hilda Cabrales’ father, Luis Cabrales, called the verdict “a moment of accountability, not victory.”
“Nothing can bring my daughter back, but this sentence ensures no other father will suffer the same nightmare.”
The Investigation: A Trail of Victims
Los Angeles County prosecutors said evidence tied Pearce to at least 12 other sexual assaults, dating as far back as 2010. The common pattern involved spiked drinks with GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) — often referred to as the “date rape drug” — and fentanyl, a powerful opioid responsible for thousands of accidental overdoses nationwide.
Detectives described a disturbing pattern: victims were invited to “after-parties” at Pearce’s downtown loft, where they were drugged, assaulted, and filmed.
Recovered videos and text messages proved central to the prosecution’s case, revealing a network of predatory behavior masked under the guise of “casting sessions” and “industry networking.”
A Fake Producer and a Web of Lies
Pearce falsely claimed credits on projects and posed for social media photos with legitimate Hollywood figures to enhance his reputation.
According to court filings, he presented himself as an “executive producer” for a nonexistent film fund tied to Netflix and Paramount — using these claims to gain the trust of aspiring entertainers.
“He leveraged the glamour of Hollywood to commit horrific acts,” said Deputy District Attorney Michelle Hanlon, who led the case. “This was calculated manipulation, not opportunity crime.”
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed this was among the harshest sentences ever handed down in a sexual assault case involving drug facilitation.
Industry Impact: Calls for Stronger Safety Protocols
The sentencing has reignited debate across the entertainment industry about predator behavior in creative circles, particularly around nightlife and networking events.
Advocacy groups, including #SafeSetLA and Women In Film, are now urging studios and agencies to strengthen safety standards for events, workshops, and open calls.
“This case reminds us that predators often hide behind ambition,” said Megan Lang, director of Women In Film Los Angeles. “The industry must do better to protect those chasing their dreams.”
Netflix and SAG-AFTRA issued brief statements praising the conviction and calling for vigilance within creative networks.
Pearce Maintains Innocence
Despite overwhelming evidence, Pearce remained defiant throughout the trial. During his final statement, he claimed he was “a scapegoat for Hollywood’s moral panic” and denied all charges.
His attorney confirmed plans to appeal the conviction, alleging procedural errors and media bias.
Legal analysts, however, believe the appeal faces steep odds, given the “mountain of forensic and digital evidence” presented at trial.
The Bottom Line
David Pearce’s conviction closes one of Los Angeles’ most disturbing criminal cases in recent memory — a cautionary tale about power, deception, and the vulnerabilities within the entertainment industry.
“This verdict doesn’t erase the trauma,” said prosecutor Hanlon, “but it restores a measure of justice for women who were silenced for too long.”
As the industry reflects on accountability and safety, the Pearce case will likely serve as a defining example of how predators can exploit fame — and how justice can eventually prevail.
