Attorney Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor To Face Judge Today

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – An entertainment industry attorney with sex-related charges involving a 14-year-old Manhattan Beach boy will face a judge to determine whether or not there's enough evidence to move forward with a trial today. Benjamin Lawson Adams, 31, of Los Angeles, was charged with three counts each of oral copulation of a person under 16 and lewd act with a child, along with two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object and one count of sodomy of a person under 16, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

The criminal complaint alleges that the crimes occurred between September and October of 2015. Adams allegedly initiated contact with the teen through a social media app and then arranged to meet with the teen, according to Deputy District Attorney Chad Gillette. Adams was arrested May 25 and released later that day on a $200,000 bond.

Manhattan Beach police said shortly after his arrest that Adams allegedly met with the victim "multiple times" and that they "engaged in sexual activity." Police said Adams may have used his title of entertainment attorney to attract the boy's interest.

If convicted, Adams could face more than eight years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock