Actor Gary Busey has been arrested on four charges, including two for criminal sexual conduct

Man, what the fuck is going with his Toxic Avenger eyes?
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I hear it was 4th degree.
Probably grabbed a woman's ass or an unwanted kiss.
Either way....the maximum he can get is 18 months.
I'm sure he'll just get a slap on the wrist and probation.
 



In 1971, Busey's wife, Judy Helkenberg, gave birth to their son, William Jacob "Jake" Busey. Busey and Helkenberg divorced when Jake was 19 years old. Busey has a daughter named Alectra, born in 1994, from a relationship with stunt coordinator Tracy Hutchinson.[25]

On December 4, 1988, Busey was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in which he was not wearing a helmet. His skull was fractured, and he suffered permanent brain damage.[26]

In 1996, Busey publicly announced that he was a Christian, saying: "I am proud to tell Hollywood I am a Christian. For the first time I am now free to be myself."[27][28] Busey cites the motorcycle accident, as well as a 1995 cocaine overdose,[29] as events that strengthened his Christian faith. Also in 1996, he married actress Tiani Warden, who was in three movies with Gary – The Chain, The Rage, and Plato's Run. They divorced in 2001.

In 1997, Busey underwent successful surgery to remove a cancerous, plum-sized tumor from his sinus cavity. The growth was found after Busey began suffering nose bleeds.[30]

During the filming of the second season of Celebrity Rehab in 2008, Busey was referred to psychiatrist Charles Sophy. Sophy suspected that Busey's brain injury has had a greater effect on him than was realized. He described it as essentially weakening his mental "filters" and causing him to speak and act impulsively. Sophy recommended Busey take valproic acid (Depakote), with which Busey agreed.[31]

In February 2010, Busey's fiancée, Steffanie Sampson, gave birth to their son.[32] Busey has a pet parakeet named Pee Wee.[33]

In 2011, Busey endorsed Newt Gingrich during Gingrich's 2012 presidential campaign, but later withdrew his endorsement. In 2015, he endorsed Donald Trump for the 2016 United States Presidential election.[34] After the election, Busey stated that he was "very happy" that Trump won, but declined to further discuss it, not wishing to talk about politics.[35]

On August 19, 2022, he was arrested and charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact at Monster-Mania Con, in New Jersey where he was a guest.
 

Gary Busey pleads guilty to criminal sexual contact in chaotic Zoom hearing: 'Am I pleading guilty?'​

"He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life," the actor's attorney, Blair Zwillman, tells EW.

By Wesley Stenzel

Published on August 1, 2025 05:23PM EDT
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Gary Busey at SiriusXM Studios in New York city on Sept. 5, 2018

Gary Busey at SiriusXM Studios in New York city on Sept. 5, 2018.Credit:
Taylor Hill/Getty
  • Gary Busey pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact in New Jersey.
  • Four other charges from a horror convention were dropped as the result of a plea agreement.
  • Busey appeared confused by the proceedings and at one point asked "Am I pleading guilty?"
Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to criminal sexual contact in New Jersey.


The Buddy Holly Story star appeared at a Zoom hearing with Judge Gwendolyn Blue on Thursday, and pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact following an incident with a female fan at the Monster-Mania Convention in August 2022. Three other counts of criminal sexual contact and an additional count of attempted criminal sexual contact from other accusers were ultimately dismissed as the result of a plea agreement.


Busey's defense attorney, Blair Zwillman, tells Entertainment Weekly that the actor is relieved to have entered his plea. "He's glad it's over, he's glad the judge was able to do it remotely," Zwillman says. "He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life."


The hearing saw a number of hiccups, however, as the virtual courtroom caused several miscommunications between the judge and Busey's team. Early in the proceedings (which can be partially viewed on video captured by Court TV), Busey could be seen drinking out of a Coca-Cola can, which prompted a warning from the judge.


"Although we are Zoom, you can't eat or drink in my courtroom," Judge Blue told the Predator 2 star. "You're before a judge, and when you're before a judge, you act accordingly. No eating and no drinking in my presence."


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Gary Busey


Busey also appeared confused by the judge's instructions. "It is my understanding you wish to plead guilty to a fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Is that correct?" Judge Blue asked.


"Am I pleading guilty?" Busey asked in response as he looked away from the camera.


"Yes," the judge responded.


Busey shot back, "No," before a woman's voice from his screen could be heard correcting him to say "Yes."


The actor then said, "I am? Okay, I am."


Judge Blue then asked Busey several more questions to ensure that he understood the proceedings and that he was voluntarily pleading guilty to the single charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. "I don't want anyone to tell you what to say. You need to say it on your own, sir," she told the actor before he reiterated his guilty plea.


Zwillman explains the confusion to EW. "He has a hearing aid, and at some points it seems to have not been working," he says. "So there were some hearing problems, and his ex-wife was in the room with him."


In the video of the proceedings, Busey's lawyer asked the actor to confirm the facts of the charge, which came from a fan with the initials AD who said the actor touched her during a photo op. "You inappropriately touched the buttocks of an adult female over her clothing," Zwillman said to his client. "You understand now and you knew then that that was not appropriate, it was wrong, correct?"


Busey responded, "Yes, very much so. Immediately, yes."


The attorney asked, "And you want Judge Blue to accept your acknowledgement of this particular incident. Is that right?"


Busey confirmed, "Yes, sir, it is the truth."


Gary Busey at 'Only Human - A #Blessed New Musical' in New York City on Sept. 17, 2019

Gary Busey at 'Only Human - A #Blessed New Musical' in New York City on Sept. 17, 2019.
Walter McBride/Getty
Later, the judge told Zwillman that "there's something missing" from an official document. "You need to fill in the record more as to what his purpose was when he touched her buttocks," she told the lawyer.


Zwillman then asked his client, "You understand that it's only a violation of the law that you could plead guilty to if you intended to gratify yourself by committing that act. I've told you that, correct?"


Busey appeared confused again. "Correct what?"


Zwillman repeated, "The touching of the buttocks was done for your gratification?"


Busey disagreed. "No, I was looking, my eyes were on the camera lens. I moved my hands up and grazed her buttocks without thinking and without looking," he said.


Judge Blue was dissatisfied with this exchange. "That's not a factual basis. That's not a guilty plea," she said.


"Mr. Busey, I've advised you, and we agreed earlier that in order to plead guilty, you have to truthfully acknowledge that you did this for your own gratification as opposed to any request by AD, is that correct?" Zwillman asked.


"I truthfully acknowledge that that happened, yes," the actor clarified.


Judge Blue then asked, "So this was not an accidental touching. You purposely touched her. Is that correct sir?"


Busey confirmed, "Yeah."


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Busey is scheduled to receive his sentence on Sept. 18.


Zwillman plans to argue that his client should only have to pay fines and not be sentenced to probation. "I think he may have been charged with criminal sexual contact because of his status," the lawyer tells EW. "Hopefully this is not gonna stain an otherwise remarkable acting career."
 






 
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