Gary Busey Receives Probation for Criminal Sexual Contact Charge

CAMDEN, N.J. — Actor Gary Busey was sentenced to two years of probation on Thursday after pleading guilty to criminal sexual contact. This outcome stems from an incident during the Monster Mania Convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Camden on August 13, 2022.

The 81-year-old actor appeared via Zoom at the sentencing hearing, where Judge Gwendolyn Blue imposed the sentence. Despite requests from Busey’s defense for financial penalties in lieu of probation, the judge ruled against it.

Busey admitted to inappropriately touching a woman during the event, acknowledging, “It was not an accidental touching,” at his earlier plea hearing. In a deal with prosecutors, four additional charges against him were dropped in exchange for the plea.

Defense attorney Blair Zwillman argued for leniency, citing Busey’s age and medical conditions, including a severe brain injury from a 1988 motorcycle accident. Zwillman claimed Busey has mild cognitive impairment and early dementia. He argued that the incident occurred while Busey was posing for photos with fans and wasn’t as severe as other sexual contact cases.

Judge Blue considered aggravating factors, including Busey’s prior arrest record, which includes a 2004 incident in Malibu that led to three years of probation and a 2021 conviction for a hit-and-run with property damage.

“Criminal sexual contact is a serious offense, and I’ve not heard anything to go against the plea agreement as entered,” Judge Blue remarked. Under the terms of his probation, Busey must pay supervision fees, fines, and provide a DNA sample, and he is prohibited from contacting the victim.

Judge Blue also reviewed victim impact statements while determining the sentence. Busey’s remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

During the virtual hearing, Busey appeared to struggle with hearing and briefly left the courtroom after indicating he needed to use the bathroom. He chose not to make a statement before the sentencing, saying, “I’m following my attorney’s advice.” The case had faced delays unrelated to the defense, and Busey had not engaged in any behavior requiring probation supervision during the three-year period since the incident.