By Jorge Casuso

April 1, 2022 -- A man charged with using a date rape drug at a Santa Monica restaurant in 2016 pleaded guilty last month and must register as a sex offender and serve time in jail, police said Thursday.

Michael Hsu originally pleaded not guilty on May 31, 2016 to one felony count each of administering a drug and assault with intent to commit a sex crime during an attempted date rape five days earlier. Subsequent to the May 26 incident at the Fig Restaurant, police obtained images and videos from Hsu's cell phone that show him digitally penetrating the intoxicated victim during previous dates, police said.

On March 18, Hsu pleaded guilty to "an act of sexual penetration where the victim was prevented from resisting by any intoxicating or anesthetic substance," police said.

Hsu made headlines when he was caught by three female customers dropping an unknown substance in his date's drink ("Trio That Stopped Possible Date Rape in Santa Monica Win Wide Acclaim," June 1, 2016).

"The victim got up to use the restroom, when Hsu was observed by witnesses surreptitiously pulling out a vial and placing a liquid substance into her glass of wine," said Lt. Rudy Flores, the Police Department spokesman.

"One witness got up to go tell security and warn the victim in the restroom of what occurred," he said. "When the victim returned to her table, Hsu tried to get her to take a drink of her wine."

The victim waited until police arrived, Flores said. The incident was captured via surveillance footage.

Hsu had three vials on his person that later tested positive for MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and melatonin, according to Flores.

"An electronic search warrant of HSU’s cellular phone device later revealed images and videos of HSU digitally penetrating the victim in an incapacitated state at various stages of their friendship, then dating relationship," Flores said.

HSU must register as a Sex Offender pursuant to Penal Code 290 for lifetime, Flores said.