Crime & Safety

Busey Told To Leave NJ Event When Complaint Surfaced, Organizers Say

Prior to the charges being filed, Busey was a featured guest at the Monster-Mania Con held in Cherry Hill from Aug. 12-Aug. 14.

In this 2012 file photo, Gary Busey poses at the Entertainment Studios' Daytime Emmy and series launch party in Los Angeles.
In this 2012 file photo, Gary Busey poses at the Entertainment Studios' Daytime Emmy and series launch party in Los Angeles. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)

CHERRY HILL, NJ — After actor Gary Busey was accused of a series of sex crimes at a convention in New Jersey, organizer Monster-Mania Con said he was reoved from the event.

The 78-year-old actor was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact and one count of harassment after an incident at the Aug. 12-Aug 14 convention, according to the Cherry Hill Police Department.

Cherry Hill Police Chief Robert Kempf declined to provide details of why the charges were filed.

Find out what's happening in Cherry Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to courierpostonline.com, Busey grabbed two women's buttocks and asked a third woman a question about her breasts. The courierpostonline report also stated that the third woman also accused Busey of trying to unfasten her bra.

The courierpostonline.com report also said Busey initially denied inappropriately touching several women at the convention, then asked officers to convince the women to not file complaints.

Find out what's happening in Cherry Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Monster-Mania Con organizers said immediately upon receiving a complaint from convention attendees, [Busey] was removed from the convention and instructed not to return.

Monster-Mania Con organizers also said they are "assisting authorities in their investigation" and that "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."

Busey, who lives in Malibu, California, is widely known as a character actor, mainly in
supporting roles, although he was nominated for an Oscar for best actor for playing the title role in the 1978 film "The Buddy Holly Story." He has also appeared on television shows such as "Entourage" and "Two and a Half Men."

The investigation into the incidents at Monster-Mania Con is ongoing, and anyone with additional information should contact Detective Robert Daniello of the Cherry Hill Police Department at 856-432-8834. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online by emailing tips@cherryhillpolice.com.

This story also contains reporting by Megan VerHelst.


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