The adult-film actor Ron Jeremy has pleaded not guilty to more than 30 counts of sexual assault, including 12 of rape, in the Los Angeles area over a 23-year period.
The Los Angeles district attorney's office said Jeremy, whose legal name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt, was indicted by a grand jury last week on the charges, which involve 21 women aged between 15 and 51 years old. The 68-year-old was among the biggest names in the adult-film industry, having appeared in more than 2,000 movies starting in the 1970s.
Jeremy’s attorney said in an email on Wednesday that the actor was “innocent of all charges”. In August 2020 Jeremy wrote on Twitter, “I can’t wait to prove my innocence in court! Thank you to everyone for all the support.”
He was first arrested more than a year ago on charges of raping three women and has remained behind bars ahead of a trial. More victims have come forward during the months-long investigation.
The district attorney’s office said the indictment involved 21 victims and conduct dating back to 1996. The counts include 12 of forcible rape, seven of forcible oral copulation, six of sexual battery and two of penetration while the victim was asleep or unconscious.
The alleged offences took place at nightclubs and bars in the Los Angeles area, during a photo shoot, and at Jeremy's home, according to the district attorney's office.
Police are still investigating the case. – Reuters
Help and support are available from rapecrisishelp.ie (1800-778888), connectcounselling.ie (RoI 1800-477477; NI and GB 0800-47747777) and samaritans.org (116-123)
