CAMDEN COUNTY, N.J. — Actor Gary Busey was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact in connection with an incident at Monster-Mania Con, a horror-themed fan convention, in Cherry Hill in August 2022. Prosecutors said Busey grabbed the buttocks of two women and attempted to unhook another woman's bra during a photo shoot at the hotel hosting the event. The judge also barred Busey from having contact with the victim and noted that a transfer of probation to California could be pursued with court approval. He has 45 days to appeal the ruling.
Busey appeared by video from California for the hearing. His attorney had urged the court to impose fines only, citing the actor’s advanced age, ongoing health issues, and permanent residence in California. The Camden County judge, Gwendolyn Blue, rejected that request, saying the offense warranted probation given its seriousness and the defendant’s history with the criminal justice system.
In July, after previously denying wrongdoing, Busey reversed course and pleaded guilty to the single count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, with the charge described as touching the buttocks of a female over clothing. He appeared via Zoom from California, and at times the exchange with the court suggested hesitation before his attorneys confirmed the plea. The judge clarified the proper procedure and accepted the plea, with Busey acknowledging the conduct was not an accidental touching.
Blair Zwillman, Busey’s attorney, said the defendant was pleased the matter had been resolved and that he could move forward without ongoing public adversity. Zwillman noted that Busey would comply with the probation terms and could seek to have the period transferred to California if permitted by the court. The case marks a notable legal development for an actor whose career spans decades in film and television.
Busey’s professional history includes an Oscar nomination for The Buddy Holly Story (1978) and roles in Lethal Weapon and Predator 2. He survived a traumatic brain injury in a 1988 motorcycle crash and has publicly discussed his battles with substance abuse. More recently, he appeared in the Off-Broadway musical Only Human in 2019 and has continued to participate in fan conventions, a context in which allegations of misconduct have drawn increasing scrutiny.