Former star is facing sex offences charges following alleged incidents at a New Jersey film convention.
The American actor, 78, is best known for playing Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, a role he received an Academy Award nomination for.
He entered the house in 2014 for and emerged victorious, while heavyweight boxer Audley Harrison finished in second place.
According to a statement from the Cherry Hill Police Department, Busey – full name William Gary Busey – is facing multiple charges, including two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Cherry Hill police say he is also facing a single count of fourth-degree attempted sexual assault, plus a single count of harassment.
Their full statement reads: ‘A California man is facing sexual offence charges stemming from incidents occurring at the annual Monster Mania Convention hosted by the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
‘During the weekend of the event, August 12th-14th, 2022, Cherry Hill Police responded to the Doubletree Hotel, 2349 West Route 70, for the report of a sex offence.
‘On August 19, 2022 as a result of the investigation, Cherry Hill Police Detectives charged Gary Busey, 78, of Malibu California, with the following offences: 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Contact – 4th Degree, 1 count of Criminal Attempt/ Criminal Sexual Contact – 4th Degree, 1 count of Harassment – Disorderly Persons Offence.’
Investigations into the allegations against the actor – famous for appearing in 1980s blockbusters – are ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to contact them.
The alleged incidents in question are said to have taken place when Busey was scheduled as a featured guest for all three days of the Monster Mania Convention.
It remains unclear whether Busey has an attorney.
The reported that Cherry Hill Township police received ‘multiple complaints’ about the actor’s behaviour at the event, with lieutenant Robert Scheunemann telling the publication: ‘It was about contact. It was about touching.’
Elsewhere, a spokesperson for the local county prosecutor’s office refused to comment on the charges.
Busey – whose acting credits includes Point Break, Under Siege, Lethal Weapon, and Predator 2 – has faced legal woes in the past, after authorities found cocaine and other narcotics in his Malibu home back in 1995.
He faced drug charges, including one count of cocaine possession, three counts of possession of marijuana, possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms and being under the influence of cocaine.
The movie star was arrested years later after being accused of sexually assaulting a female employee on set of the Celebrity Apprentice in 2011.
Busey’s reps and Cherry Hill Police have been contacted for comment.
