GARY BUSEY PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL OFFENCE AT HORROR CONVENTION
Actor Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to a sexual offence related to an appearance at a horror convention in 2022 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, according to his representatives and court records.His manager, Ron Sampson, stated in an email that Busey admitted to touching a woman’s buttocks "over clothing during an 8-10 second photo op." Busey entered a guilty plea to a single count of criminal sexual contact during a virtual hearing in Camden County court on Thursday.
The actor, who is 81 years old, was accused of inappropriately touching at least three women at the Monster-Mania Convention held at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill.
He was initially charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, and one count of harassment.
However, the other charges were dropped as part of a plea deal, and Busey now faces up to five years of probation and fines at his sentencing scheduled for September 18.
His lawyer, Blair Zwillman, commented that Busey was "overcharged" possibly due to his star status and suggested he could have been charged with a lesser offence of harassment by offensive touching.
The convention organizers acknowledged that a celebrity guest was removed from the event and instructed not to return, encouraging attendees to contact police if they experienced inappropriate contact.
Busey was scheduled as a featured guest for all three days of the event.
The actor is best known for supporting roles but also gained recognition with an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in "The Buddy Holly Story" in 1978.
