Calif. Teen Allegedly Messaged Friends About 'Conquering' Someone After Frat Party. Now He's Facing Felony Rape Charges By Angel Saunders

A California teen was arrested on felony sexual assault charges related to alleged incidents at a fraternity party earlier this year.

Reef Mordente, 19, of Studio City, was arrested Aug. 9 on a felony warrant for rape of an intoxicated victim, forced oral copulation and digital penetration, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office said in a press release on Thursday, Aug. 21.

He turned himself in to the Los Angeles Police Department. After being booked, he was released on $100,000 bail.

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Detectives began their investigation in April after receiving a report of a sexual assault that happened during a wedding-themed party at an Isla Vista frat house in the 6500-block of Cordoba Road.

Isla Vista is about a 105-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles.

According to the press release, investigators uncovered conversations where Mordente used language that framed the assault in “scoring” or “conquering” terms.

Authorities believe others witnessed the assault, but have not yet come forward. 

“Our prevention efforts must prioritize the vast majority of men — those who may never engage in criminal behavior themselves, yet whose participation in peer groups and social dynamics can, knowingly or not, enable sexual predators,” Elsa Granados, executive director at Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA), said in a statement.

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She continued, “Through laughter at inappropriate jokes or uncritical acceptance of stories framed as ‘conquests’ or ‘scores,’ men may become passive bystanders or inadvertent facilitators of harm.”

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office said coming forward can be difficult, but it is essential in order to help ensure accountability, prevent future harm and support survivors as they heal.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Detective Ellis at (805) 681-4150. Tips can also be shared anonymously online at: sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip or by calling (805) 681-4171.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.