DOCUMENT: Crime

Victim Spots Attacker On NBC Show

Cops: "Blind Date" contestant was wanted for September 2003 rape

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Victim Spots Attacker On NBC Show

NOVEMBER 3--A California man is facing rape and kidnapping charges after his alleged victim recently spotted him appearing as a contestant on the NBC Universal reality show "Blind Date." According to cops, Ulrick White, 31, was nabbed Sunday in connection with the September 2003 attack of a 35-year-old Ventura County woman. While cops had been searching for White for a year, it was not until last month when they got a major break in the case. The victim told investigators she was watching TV when she heard a female "Blind Date" contestant refer to White by his nickname, Aswah. After identifying White--and his distinctive Jamaican accent--the woman recorded the remaining portion of the program and provided the videotape to detectives. Below you will find the Superior Court felony complaint filed against White, who is pictured at right in a booking photo. A recap of the October 22 "Blind Date" show--found on an NBC web site--provides this account of a date between "Tina and Aswah": "Aswah likes freaky women, and he thinks that all women who fit the bill are equally attracted to him. After some salsa dancing, things start to heat up." White, who owns a security company, is currently awaiting trial in Santa Barbara for allegedly breaking into another woman's apartment last November. "Blind Date," one of television's sleaziest shows, matches two singles for a date that is videotaped and then dissected. Since network brass have hit the mattresses following White's bust, it is unclear what, if any, background checks are conducted on "Blind Date" participants or when the episode featuring White was filmed. (1 page)