According to Associated Press and the Cherry Hill Courier-post, Actor Gary Busey was handed two years’ probation for a sex crime following a virtual hearing on Sept. 18, nearly two months after he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
The conviction arose from a New Jersey horror convention in the summer of 2022, a case that received nationwide attention. Busey, now 81, attended Thursday’s hearing from home and did not speak.
According to New York Times, After the ruling, his lawyer, Blair Zwillman, issued a brief statement saying, “Mr. Busey is pleased that the case has been resolved,” adding that the actor can now “go on with his life without any continuing, daily public adversity.”
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Citing health and mobility difficulties, Busey’s attorney had previously urged the court that a fine, rather than a lengthy sentence, would suffice, noting the actor is suffering from early dementia. His written plea, filed in July, focused on the actor’s fragile condition, asking the court to take that into account.
Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue pointed to Gary Busey’s past convictions—specifically his 2007 probation for both trespass and disorderly conduct, and the 2021 hit-and-run—when handing down the latest probation term, a regional news source reports.
The sentence is tied to a 2022 episode where Busey visited the East Coast monster convention Monster-Mania. Police said three women complained he groped them while signing autographs during the event.
After the allegations, authorities apprehended Busey at his Cherry Hill, N.J. hotel. Court documents reportedly state he was seen allegedly touching the clothed buttocks of two women during a posed photo session. An additional sworn declaration adds that Busey leaned close to a third woman’s chest and allegedly asked, “Where did you get those?” before he allegedly fiddled with her bra.
After news of the arrest spread, Busey told a TMZ media outlet he did nothing wrong, asserting, “None of that happened.”
The actor insisted the encounter was brief—and claimed the women “made up a story.”
He admitted to the incident at Monster Mania and pleaded guilty on July 31, 2023. The Times reported that Gary Busey faced up to five years on probation and a fine of up to $500. His attorney said the probation period may be terminated early after just one year.
In addition, Busey is named in a civil lawsuit from two women in New York, who say the actor hurt them during the same Monster Mania event. They are asking for damages.
The Hollywood star earned an Academy Award nomination for playing Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story. His film credits also include the sci-fi sequel Predator 2 and the action classic Point Break.
