DA: Richard Box Rape, Assault Victims Are Wife and Stepdaughter

A Santa Barbara man remains behind bars and held on $2 million bail after a judge denied his attorney’s request Friday to lower the amount to $100,000. Prosecutors, who unsuccessfully argued bail should be increased to $5 million, claimed Richard Box is a flight risk and would likely skip town if he were released before trial. Four people attended the hearing in support of Box, and one took the stand to defend him.

The former realtor and current men’s choir singer is accused of repeatedly abusing and raping his wife over the last three years and molesting his 15-year-old stepdaughter, who authorities say was forced to live in a small closet under a stairwell in Box’s house and was being groomed as his sex slave. Officials stated that the women — both from Thailand, where Box reportedly owns property — have lived in fear of the defendant since recently arriving in the United States and moving into his Las Ondas home on the Mesa. A Santa Barbara High School alum and longtime South Coast resident, Box is known around town as a familiar face but — officials would corroborate — has developed a somewhat unsavory reputation over the years.

Earlier this month, police officers responded to the residence on a disturbance call and made contact with the victims. From there, detectives launched an investigation into Box and his reported crimes, and on December 16, Box surrendered himself to police. According to a felony complaint filed by Senior Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman on December 18, Box faces 10 separate charges, including spousal rape, assault with intent to commit a lewd act upon a child, false imprisonment by violence, dissuading a witness by force or threat, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, domestic violence battery, and electronic peeping. Box, represented by defense attorney Steve Balash, pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years and four months in prison.