Gary Busey Pleads Guilty to Sex Misconduct at Convention

Actor Admits to Intentional Touching of Woman in 2022 Incident

Veteran actor Gary Busey has entered a guilty plea to a charge of criminal sexual misconduct. The admission stems from an incident in 2022 where he intentionally touched a woman inappropriately at a horror film convention in New Jersey.

Admission in Court

During a virtual court appearance on Thursday, the 81-year-old star, once an Oscar nominee, stated to the judge, “It was not an accidental touching.” This plea agreement led prosecutors to drop three other counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted criminal sexual contact.

Allegations at Monster-Mania

The charges originated from accusations made by five women who claimed Busey groped them while taking photographs at the Monster-Mania convention held at a Cherry Hill, New Jersey hotel. The alleged incidents occurred between August 12 and 14, 2022.

According to reports, Busey allegedly grabbed the buttocks of two women and attempted to unlatch a third woman’s bra while placing his face near her chest.

Defense Challenges Denied

Busey‘s defense attorney, Blair Zwillman, initially argued for the dismissal of the indictment, citing a flawed police investigation. However, Camden County prosecutor Keith Carmy countered that no exculpatory evidence was found and that substantial witness testimony had been presented to the grand jury.

The presiding judge, Gwendolyn Blue, denied the defense’s motion. A sentencing hearing is tentatively scheduled for September 18.

Potential Penalties and Past Issues

Busey faces potential penalties including one to five years of probation and fines. He is also required to submit a DNA sample. Despite wearing a hearing aid turned to its maximum volume, Busey reportedly had difficulty hearing during the proceedings.

In 2023, statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicated that approximately 36% of convicted offenders receive probation as their sentence for felonies nationwide. (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics)

Notable Career and Legal History

Gary Busey is recognized for his extensive career, with over 100 film and television credits, including roles in “Point Break,” “Under Siege,” and “Lethal Weapon.” He received an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in “The Buddy Holly Story.”

This is not Busey‘s first encounter with legal troubles. He has previously faced drug charges and arrests for spousal abuse. Additionally, during the 2011 season of “Celebrity Apprentice,” he was accused of sexually assaulting a female employee.