Gary Busey Admits Groping at NJ Horror Convention in Guilty Plea
Gary Busey pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact after admitting to groping a fan during a photo op at the 2022 Monster-Mania Convention in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Hi, I’m Riley Carter, and okay but seriously why is this a thing.
In a June 2023 Zoom hearing, 81-year-old Gary Busey acknowledged that his hand placement on August 13, 2022, “was not an accidental touching,” according to the Daily News. The veteran Lethal Weapon star entered the plea for an incident that unfolded during the three-day Monster-Mania Convention held at the Doubletree Hotel from August 12 to 14, 2022. Despite initial denials, Busey’s concession marks a sharp turn in a case that’s kept horror fans and legal observers buzzing.
The allegations first emerged when multiple attendees claimed the Oscar-nominated actor inappropriately grabbed at least three women during autograph photo sessions. One accuser even said Busey attempted to undo her bra strap before convention staff intervened. Busey’s camp insisted nothing untoward occurred, blasting the claims in an interview with TMZ as “all false” and insisting “it took less than 10 seconds and they left.” But Monster-Mania Convention organizers wasted no time removing him from the lineup and posting a public statement on Facebook urging anyone affected to contact law enforcement.
Law enforcement formally charged Busey days later with two counts of criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, and one count of harassment. A snap photo snapped by paparazzi at a Malibu public park, just 24 hours after the charges dropped, showed Busey adjusting his pants in full view—an image that underscored the surreal nature of the unfolding drama.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, three of the four original charges were dismissed, leaving only the single count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on his record. Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, where Busey could face fines and a probation term ranging from one to five years. The Post reached out to Busey’s representatives for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Despite turning 81 in June, Busey’s career spans decades, from his breakout role in A Star Is Born to unforgettable turns in Point Break and Lethal Weapon. His admission of guilt injects a sobering footnote into a legacy often defined by offbeat charisma and headline-making stunts.
Fans and critics alike are now left to reconcile the actor’s storied achievements with these troubling charges. How this plea will ripple through Busey’s remaining film projects and public appearances is anyone’s guess—but it’s clear this chapter isn’t closing quietly.
Okay cool so like yeah that happened.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Daily News, TMZ, Monster-Mania Convention Facebook
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
