Actors Face Child Porn Charges

[John]

It just never ends for PeeWee Herman...

Actors Face Child Porn Charges
Sat Nov 16, 3:43 AM ET

By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A year-old pornography investigation has led to the filing of criminal charges against two Hollywood actors: Paul Reubens, best known as Pee-wee Herman, and veteran character actor Jeffrey Jones of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Reubens was charged with one misdemeanor count of possessing materials depicting children under the age of 18 engaged in sexual conduct, said Ana Garcia, a spokeswoman with the City Attorney's office. He surrendered to authorities Friday and was released on $20,000 bail.

Jones, who played the uptight principal and comic foil to Matthew Broderick in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," was charged with hiring a 14-year-old boy to pose for sexually explicit photos — a felony — as well as misdemeanor possession of child pornography. He was freed on $20,000 bond after surrendering Thursday.

Reubens, 50, and Jones, 56, are acquaintances and both cases stem from the same police investigation, said Los Angeles County District Attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

"Los Angeles Police Department brought us both cases at the same time in connection with an investigation," Gibbons said Friday.

Reubens could face as much as a year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted. If Jones is convicted, he faces up to three years in prison and would have to register as a sex offender for life.

"This is all about photos. There's no allegations of any touching or any improper acts with a minor," Jones' attorney, Jeffrey Brodey, told the Los Angeles Times. "This will be resolved very quickly so he can get on with his life and get back to work."

Brodey did not return a call from The Associated Press on Friday.

Reubens' attorney, Blair Berk, dismissed the charge against his client as "simply untrue and without merit."

"Mr. Reubens has never at any time knowingly possessed any artwork from his extensive vintage and antique art collection even remotely related to anything improper," Berk said in a statement.

Jones is to be arraigned next Thursday. Reubens' arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 19.

Authorities searched the homes of both men on Nov. 16, 2001, according to the offices of the district and city attorneys. The statute of limitations on the misdemeanors would have run out Saturday if charges had not been filed.

Reubens pleaded no contest to an indecent exposure charge in 1991 after he was arrested in Sarasota, Fla., for allegedly exposing himself in a movie theater.

After that plea, Reubens' long-running "Pee-wee Herman Show" was canceled and his star faded, although he has had supporting roles in a number of films since, including "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Blow."

Jones has appeared in dozens of films, including "Amadeus," "Ed Wood" and "Beetlejuice."

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[jodaar]

Sickos. I wonder what type of punishment the Pope thinks these guys deserve.

[John]

It just really bugs me that the DA's office waited to file charges until the day before the statute of limitations ran out. They waited a year to charge these guys. If they REALLY did something bad, then it makes sense to charge them right away...Waiting makes it seem like they couldn't put together charges they were hoping to, so they said "we'll get you anyway".

If this turns out to be nothing more than PeeWee happened to have a vintage photo in his collection where a girl happens to be slightly underage, I'm going to be mad. In my opinion, even though I'm not a porn-lover, there's a fine line between pictures of legal aged women and slightly less legal-aged women. It's the kiddie porn that people need to be locked up for.

Of course, that's just my opinion, and you all may feel free to disagree with me. IMO, the man paid the price for a stupid thing way back when, he should be left alone. This smacks of harassment to me.

[Wayner]

I agree with John, here. If the DA really had anything substantial on Reubens and Jones, they wouldn't have waited a year to file charges. My guess is that this is all going to blow over, and will be nothing more than another black mark on the Los Angeles District Attorny's office, which hasn't exactly covered itself in glory the last several years.

[fluff]

I was really shocked when I read this earlier.
Not the PeeWee Herman part, jeez it's not like it's the first time.
This was the first time I had heard anything about Jones being involved in anything like this.

I've never really understood the concept of statute of limitations.
(No one bother to explain it though, I just think a crime is a crime and don't see why people have to be charged within a specific time.)

[BorderEevil2]

Thats a bummer man!...Now I'm gonna feel weirded out when watching "Ferris Bueller" & "Devils Advocate" now.... When he comes on screen, "Oh Yeah, thats the Perv that got busted" will come to mind....