Tattoo artist 'Franko Khalifa' charged with sexual assault in Los Angeles

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department are seeking additional victims and witnesses in a series of sexual assaults allegedly committed by a popular Los Angeles-based tattoo artist, officials announced Monday.  

In a LAPD news release, investigators said 28-year-old Charles Wayne Wilkerson IV was arrested on Oct. 29 in connection with two sexual assaults.  

The first assault, according to police, occurred at Wilkerson’s tattoo shop in South Central Los Angeles in Dec. 2023, while a second one in Feb. 2024 occurred at a residence.  

Both victims were 25-year-old females, authorities said.  

The 28-year-old, who also goes by the name “Franko,” is known on Instagram as “frankokhalifa” and raps under the name “Franko Khalifa.”  

On Nov. 20, Wilkerson was charged by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office with two counts of rape of drugged or intoxicated victim, one count forced oral copulation and one count of oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance.  

“He preyed upon young women who hired him for his tattoo artistry,” Det. Robert Smey, a Southwest Division Sexual Assault Investigator, said. “Once he gained their trust, the assaults occurred. Now that these brave young women have told their story, hopefully more will be encouraged to step forward and seek justice.”  

Detectives released Wilkerson’s photo in hopes that any potential victims of the 28-year-old who have not reported being sexually assaulted by him will contact authorities.  

Anyone with information that could lead to the identification of additional victims or witnesses is urged to contact LAPD’s Southwest Division Sexual Assault investigators at 323-290-2976.  

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.