Gary Busey admits to committing a sexual transgression during a horror convention in New Jersey.
In a recent development, actor Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to a single count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact stemming from an incident at the Monster-Mania horror convention held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in August 2022. The other charges against him, including two additional counts of criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, and one count of harassment, were dropped as part of a plea agreement.
The incident took place during a brief 8–10 second photo opportunity, where Busey was accused of deliberately touching a woman's buttocks over her clothing. The virtual hearing in state court in Camden where Busey entered his guilty plea took place on Thursday.
Under the plea terms, Busey faces one to five years of probation and must pay fines. His attorney, Blair Zwillman, has asked the judge to impose only fines during sentencing, which is scheduled for September 18, 2025, to take place via Zoom. Busey will also have a permanent criminal record and is required to submit a DNA sample.
Busey, widely known for his role as "Buddy Holly" in the 1978 biographical film "The Buddy Holly Story," initially denied the allegations but admitted in court that the touching was deliberate. His lawyer described the behavior as resembling a disorderly persons offense under New Jersey law, indicating the relatively lower degree of the charge.
Organizers of the event acknowledged that an unnamed celebrity guest was removed from the convention and instructed not to return. Affected attendees were encouraged to contact the police. The Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, a South Jersey town and suburb of Philadelphia, played host to the Monster-Mania Convention.
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[1] The Monster-Mania Convention was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, a South Jersey town and suburb of Philadelphia. [2] Gary Busey faces up to five years' probation and fines when he is sentenced on September 18. [3] Gary Busey's manager, Ron Sampson, confirmed the plea via email on Friday. [4] Blair Zwillman, Gary Busey's lawyer, believes Busey was "overcharged" based on his star status.
[1] The recent development involving Gary Busey's guilty plea for a sexual contact charge is an example of crime-and-justice news.
[2] In addition to general-news coverage, this incident also touches upon entertainment as Busey, best known for his roles in movies such as "The Buddy Holly Story," is one of the celebrities involved.
