Gary Busey was sentenced to two years of probation Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact for inappropriately touching a woman during a horror-themed convention in 2022.
The case centers on an incident at Monster-Mania Con, a horror-focused fan convention held at a Cherry Hill hotel in August 2022, where prosecutors said Busey grabbed the buttocks of two women and attempted to unhook another woman's bra during a photo shoot.
In Camden County Superior Court, Judge Gwendolyn Blue imposed two years of probation and barred Busey from having any contact with the victim. The ruling also allows for a potential transfer of probation to California, and Busey has 45 days to appeal the decision. The defense had urged only fines due to the actor's advanced age, health issues, and permanent residence in California, but Blue said the offense warranted probation supervision given its gravity and Busey's prior interactions with the criminal justice system.
Busey appeared by video from his home in California for the sentencing. He had previously denied wrongdoing after the charges were filed and, at an arraignment in March 2025, pleaded not guilty. In July, he changed course and pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, with his attorney describing the charge as related to touching the buttocks of a woman over the clothing. During the hearing, he acknowledged that the act was not an accidental touching. The judge clarified the plea process when Busey briefly seemed unsure whether to plead guilty, and the defense requested time to confer before finalizing the plea.
The case marks a notable legal development for Busey, whose decades-long career includes a Best Actor-nominated turn in The Buddy Holly Story, roles in Lethal Weapon and Predator 2, and various television appearances. He has publicly discussed a traumatic brain injury sustained in a 1988 motorcycle crash and has spoken about battles with substance use. His attorney, Blair Zwillman, said he was pleased the case had been resolved and that Busey could move forward without ongoing public adversity. The sentencing judge emphasized that the decision reflected the seriousness of sexual-contact offenses, while the no-contact order and probation terms aim to protect the involved parties and ensure compliance.
Monster-Mania Con, a horror-centric convention that draws fans and celebrities from across the country, has long been a fixture in the fan convention circuit. The Cherry Hill event venue where the incident occurred has hosted numerous photo shoots and interactions between attendees and guests, underscoring the ongoing complexity of navigating fan conventions as public figures. The outcome of this case adds to a broader discussion about accountability and conduct within celebrity encounters at such events.