Renowned actor Gary Busey has formally admitted culpability to a sexual offense charge stemming from his appearance at a 2022 horror convention in New Jersey, concluding a high-profile legal proceeding that garnered significant public attention.
Busey’s guilty plea to a single count of criminal sexual contact was entered during a virtual hearing held in state court in Camden, marking a critical development in the case that has unfolded over recent months.
The incident originally occurred during a horror convention held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in August 2022. Event organizers, upon learning of the allegations, promptly confirmed that an unnamed celebrity guest was “removed from the convention and instructed not to return,” advising affected attendees to report any concerns to law enforcement.
Prior to the allegations, Busey had been scheduled as a featured guest for the entire three-day duration of the convention. He was initially confronted with a series of serious charges, including two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, and a single count of harassment.
Mr. Busey’s attorney, Paul J. Zwillman, offered a perspective on the initial charging decisions, suggesting that his client was “overcharged” potentially due to his prominent “star status.” This commentary highlights the complexities often associated with high-profile individuals facing criminal justice proceedings.
Zwillman further elaborated on his view, indicating that the charges could have been less severe, specifically suggesting that Busey might have been charged with the lesser “disorderly persons offense of harassment by ‘offensive touching’.” This legal nuance underscores the varying degrees of charges possible for such alleged conduct in New Jersey legal contexts.
The guilty plea brings a resolution to the charges, shifting the narrative from accusation to legal admission, and concludes a chapter in the actor’s public life entangled with the serious allegations of sexual offense at a public event.
