Tech Exec Arrested on Child Rape Charges

Zain Jaffer was exiled from his company after being booked on several charges, including oral copulation of a person under 14

Update: All charges against Zain Jaffer were dismissed by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office on July 2, 2018. Jaffer had an adverse reaction to prescription medications, causing him to act “erratically,” San Mateo D.A. Steve Wagstaffe told Axios

“Being wrongfully accused of these crimes has been a terrible experience, which has had a deep and lasting impact on my family and the employees of my business.  Those closest to me knew I was innocent and were confident that all of the charges against me would eventually be dismissed,” Jaffer said in a statement shared with TheWrap. 

“I want to thank the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office for carefully reviewing and considering all of the information and evidence in this case and dropping all the charges,” he added. “I am also incredibly grateful for the continued and unwavering support of my wife and family, and look forward to spending some quality time with them.”

Zain Jaffer, 29, founder and now ex-CEO of Vungle, a mobile-app video platform, was arrested on Tuesday, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s website. He was booked on charges of attempted murder, oral copulation of a person under 14, child abuse, a lewd act on a child, assault with a deadly weapon, and battery upon an officer and emergency personnel.

The attempted murder charger has since been dropped by San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe due to a lack of evidence, according to SF Gate.

Wagstaffe’s office did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Daniel Olmos, an attorney representing Jaffer, told SFGate that Jaffer pleaded not guilty and will not make any public statements.

Vungle confirmed Jaffer’s ousting in a issued Friday afternoon.

“We are aware of the extremely serious allegations leveled against our former CEO, and we are shocked beyond words,” the statement said. “While these are only preliminary charges and are completely unrelated to his former role at the company, they are obviously so serious that it led to his immediate removal.”

“Everyone at the company is shocked and saddened by these events, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected,” it continued.

Chief Operating Officer Rick Tallman was appointed new CEO by the company’s board on Thursday. Vungle was founded by Jaffer in 2011, and has about 200 employees; it’s raised about $25 million, according to Crunchbase.

Jaffer is being held at the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City, California. He’ll appear in court on Nov. 1.

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