Actor Gary Busey is facing sexual offense charges from incidents that allegedly occurred during a horror film convention in New Jersey earlier this month.
According to a news release from the Cherry Hill Police Department, Busey, 78, of Malibu, California, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of fourth-degree attempted sexual assault and one count of harassment.
Police said the alleged incidents occurred during a Monster-Mania convention at a Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill the weekend of Aug. 12-14, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“It was about contact,” Cherry Hill Police Lt. Robert Scheunemann told the newspaper. “It was about touching.”
Scheunemann said authorities received multiple complaints involving at least two victims.
According to Variety, Busey was booked as a guest for the fan-fueled convention, which is held semiannually in Cherry Hill. The actor mingled with attendees throughout the weekend, appearing in several photographs.
Busey also signed for fans in the convention’s Autograph Room, along with other actors like Ralph Macchio, Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright, Variety reported.
Busey has appeared at the convention before, the entertainment news outlet reported.
Busey’s breakthrough film role came in 1978 when he played the title role in “The Buddy Holly Story.” He was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor for his role portraying the early rock ‘n’ roll star who died in a February 1959 plane crash. Busey also is known for his roles in “Point Break,” “Under Siege,” “Surviving the Game” and “Lethal Weapon,” according to IMDb.com.
Representatives for Busey were not immediately available for comment, Entertainment Tonight reported. According to the Inquirer, Donna Weaver, a spokesperson for the Camden County prosecutor’s office, said its office had no comment.
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