Actor Gary Busey has been charged with criminal sexual contact over multiple alleged incidents at a New Jersey horror convention.
The alleged crimes took place at the Monster Mania Convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, which was held from August 12-14.
According to a statement posted to Facebook by the Cherry Hill Police Department, officers were called to the event over multiple complaints of alleged sexual assault — but few details were provided about the allegations against him.
“It was about contact. It was about touching,” Lt. Robert Scheunemann said, according to a report from the Washington Post, adding that there were “multiple” complaints about his behavior during an autograph signing at the event.
The 78-year-old Oscar nominated actor was charged on Friday with two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact in the 4th Degree, one count of Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact in the 4th Degree, and one count of Harassment.
Monster Mania said in a statement that they promptly removed Busey from the convention after receiving complaints from attendees and are assisting authorities in the investigation.
“Immediately upon receiving a complaint from the attendees, the celebrity guest was removed from the convention and instructed not to return. Monster-Mania also encouraged the attendees to contact the police to file a report,” the statement said. “The safety and well-being of all our attendees is of the utmost importance to Monster-Mania, and the company will not tolerate any behavior that could compromise those values. Monster-Mania will continue to assist the authorities in any and every way possible.”
Busey had been scheduled to appear at the conference for all three days.
Police are now asking for anyone with information about the incidents to come forward.
Two days after the charges were filed, Busey was photographed at Point Dume Park in Malibu with his pants pulled down. He appeared to be performing a lewd act on himself.
Gary Busey was spotted sitting in a California park today with his pants down smoking a cigar after being charged with groping three woman at a convention in NJ. pic.twitter.com/U9HPiuV7O6
— Nerdy Addict © ℗ ® (@Nerdy_Addict) August 21, 2022
“Busey stuck one hand down the front of his pants, appeared to clench his jaw and then looked around to make sure no bystanders had caught him in the lewd act,” the Daily Mail reported. “Seemingly satisfied with his actions, Busey lit up a cigar and looked out over the ocean for nearly 30 minutes before getting back in his car and leaving the park.”
The actor faced drug charges in 1995 after law enforcement found cocaine in his Malibu home. He has also previously been charged with spousal abuse.
In 2011, while filming Celebrity Apprentice, Busey was accused of sexually assaulting a female member of the show’s staff.
Busey previously appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, where he claimed to be seeking help for addiction issues.
The actor has a 12-year-old son with his wife Steffanie Sampson. He also has two children, Jake, 51, and daughter Alectra, 28, from previous relationships.
