Houston authorities are on the hunt for potential victims of Eric Sim, a former NASA aerospace engineer tagged as a "suspected serial sex predator." As reported by ABC13, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, alongside Houston Police Department officials, broadcasted the alarming situation in a press briefing yesterday, stating that Sim stands accused of sexually assaulting six women.
Eric Sim, 37, has been arrested and charged with a grim sheet of sexual assaults. Having struck the public's eye in a viral NASA parody video back in 2013, Sim's star status is now overshadowed by allegations so dark they prompt questions of past indiscretions hidden beneath the guise of his reputable position. Released on a half-million-dollar bond, Sim maintains his innocence through lawyer Neal Davis, who was quoted by KHOU stating, "I'm not fazed at all by the number of complainants, whether it's one, six, or 10."
The case, which has shocked the Houston community, reveals a disheartening pattern of alleged attacks, all stemming from encounters on dating apps according to authorities. Released under the condition of 24/7 house arrest, Sim's ties with NASA have yet to be severed publicly, echoing a silence that speaks volumes amidst the charges he faces. Asserting the importance of victim support, DA Ogg expressed, "We know what a challenge it can be for sexual assault survivors and we want to encourage you that whether a case is filed or not, both HPD and the district attorney’s office offer victim’s support services and advocacy," in a statement obtained by KHOU.
While the six women's testimonies point to a harrowing pattern of behavior, with one fearing she was drugged before an assault, investigators worry about a darker canvas stretching beyond Texan borders – encompassing cities abroad that Sim has visited, including countries like Japan, the UK, and Canada. Despite the allegations, Davis continues to defend Sim, saying he's "shocked and devastated over these false allegations" and is keen on proving his innocence, as told to KHOU.
The case against Eric Sim builds upon a grim pastiche of social media warnings. Prosecutors revealed that Instagram pages and other online platforms had previously sounded alarms about Sim's conduct. "There are sites out there stating, 'Don't date him,'" DA's office prosecutor Janna Oswald said in a previous statement. With the echo of past parody fame receding into a mire of present allegations, Houston officials continue their search for others who may have fallen prey to Sim's suspected predatory behavior.
