Celebs Who Were Charged with Sex Crimes

Celebrities often live in the spotlight with all the fame and fortune that comes along, but that same attention can turn harsh when legal troubles hit. Charges related to sex crimes have shaken up many well-known figures over the years, bringing intense scrutiny from the public and the courts alike. These cases highlight how even the biggest stars can face serious accusations that alter their paths forever.

From musicians to actors, these situations have sparked widespread discussions about accountability in Hollywood and beyond. The details of each case vary, but they all involve formal charges that led to trials, pleas, or other legal outcomes. Learning about them shows the complex side of celebrity life where personal actions can lead to major consequences.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby faced three counts of aggravated indecent assault in 2015 connected to an event from 2004. The charges came from allegations that he gave drugs to Andrea Constand and then assaulted her at his residence near Philadelphia. Prosecutors built the case around her testimony and evidence from a prior civil suit deposition where he admitted to giving quaaludes to women.

A jury convicted him on all counts in 2018 after a retrial following a mistrial the year before. He received a sentence of three to ten years in state prison and had to register as a sexually violent predator. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 2021 citing a violation of his due process rights from a previous non-prosecution agreement.

Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein got arrested in 2018 on charges of rape and criminal sexual acts in New York based on accounts from two women. One woman said he raped her in a hotel room in 2013, and the other claimed he forced oral sex on her in 2006. Authorities in Los Angeles also charged him with rape and sexual assault involving four women from 2004 to 2013.

In New York, a jury found him guilty in 2020 of third-degree rape and a criminal sexual act leading to a 23-year sentence. The state’s highest court overturned that conviction in 2024 due to improper testimony allowed at trial. In California, he received a conviction in 2022 for rape and other assaults resulting in a 16-year sentence to serve after the New York term.

R. Kelly

R. Kelly stood trial in federal court in New York in 2021 on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking involving underage girls and women over decades. Prosecutors said he ran an enterprise that recruited victims for illegal sexual activity using his fame and staff to control them. A Chicago federal case charged him with producing child pornography and enticing minors.

The New York jury convicted him on all counts leading to a 30-year prison sentence in 2022. In Chicago, he got convicted on three counts of producing child pornography and three counts of enticing minors for sex. That added a 20-year sentence in 2023 mostly concurrent with the New York term, and he continues to appeal both verdicts.

Danny Masterson

Danny Masterson faced charges in 2020 for raping three women between 2001 and 2003 at his home in Hollywood Hills. The women were fellow members of the Church of Scientology, and prosecutors argued he used drugs to incapacitate them before the assaults. His first trial ended in a mistrial in 2022 when the jury could not reach a verdict.

A second trial in 2023 resulted in convictions on two counts of forcible rape with the jury deadlocked on the third. The judge sentenced him to 30 years to life in prison consisting of two consecutive 15-year terms. He must register as a sex offender and remains in custody while appealing the decision.

Sean Combs

Sean Combs, known as Diddy, got indicted in 2024 on federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. The indictment claims he ran a criminal enterprise from 2008 onward that forced women into sexual acts during events called Freak Offs using drugs and threats. Multiple civil lawsuits accuse him of similar abuses.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and remains detained without bail pending trial. If convicted on all counts, he faces a minimum of 15 years up to life in prison. The case involves allegations from over a dozen people, and investigations continue into his activities.

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey faced charges in the UK in 2022 for four counts of sexual assault against three men from incidents between 2005 and 2013. Prosecutors described unwanted touching and aggressive behavior during his time as artistic director at a London theater. In the US, he dealt with a charge of indecent assault and battery in Massachusetts from a 2016 incident.

A London jury acquitted him on all UK charges in 2023 after he testified the encounters were consensual or did not happen. The Massachusetts case got dropped in 2019 when the accuser invoked the Fifth Amendment. He won a civil suit in New York in 2022 related to an allegation from 1986.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. got arrested in 2019 on a charge of forcible touching after a woman said he groped her at a New York bar. Additional charges came from two other women alleging similar unwanted touching in separate incidents. Prosecutors combined the cases into one misdemeanor complaint.

He pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count of forcible touching as part of a deal that avoided jail time. The plea included six months of alcohol and behavior modification counseling with no further arrests. The other charges got dismissed, and he issued public apologies to the women involved.

Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski faced charges in 1977 for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl at Jack Nicholson’s home during a photo shoot. The grand jury indicted him on six counts including rape by use of drugs and sodomy. He initially pleaded not guilty but later agreed to a plea deal.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor as part of the deal expecting probation. When the judge indicated a prison sentence instead, he fled to France before sentencing and has remained a fugitive since. Extradition attempts failed, and he settled a civil suit with the victim in 1993.

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson got arrested in 1991 on charges of rape after an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant said he assaulted her in his hotel room. The indictment included rape, criminal deviate conduct, and confinement. Witnesses testified about her state after the incident.

A jury convicted him on all counts in 1992 leading to a six-year prison sentence with four years probation. He served three years before release in 1995 and had to register as a sex offender. He later wrote in his memoir that he was innocent but regrets the encounter.

Mystikal

Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, faced charges in 2002 for sexual battery and extortion after his hairstylist accused him of forcing her into sex acts. Video evidence showed the acts involving her and two bodyguards. He initially denied the claims but changed his plea.

He pleaded guilty to sexual battery in 2004 and received a six-year prison sentence. After release in 2010, he got arrested again in 2017 on rape charges from a 2016 incident at a casino. A grand jury indicted him, but charges dropped in 2020 due to lack of evidence.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur got charged in 1993 with sexual abuse after a woman said he and three associates assaulted her in a hotel room. The charges included first-degree sexual abuse and sodomy. He denied the allegations saying the encounter was consensual.

A jury convicted him of first-degree sexual abuse in 1994 but acquitted on sodomy and weapons charges. He received a sentence of one and a half to four and a half years and served nine months before release on bail pending appeal. The conviction stood, but he got killed before further proceedings.

Gary Glitter

Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, faced arrest in 1997 in the UK for possessing child pornography found on his computer. Charges included downloading thousands of images. In Vietnam in 2005, authorities charged him with obscene acts with minors involving two girls.

He got convicted in the UK in 1999 and served four months for the pornography possession. In Vietnam, a conviction in 2006 for child molestation led to three years in prison. Back in the UK, he received additional convictions in 2015 for historical child sex offenses resulting in 16 years imprisonment.

Rolf Harris

Rolf Harris got arrested in 2013 as part of Operation Yewtree investigating historical sex offenses. Charges included 12 counts of indecent assault on four girls from 1968 to 1986, one as young as seven. More allegations surfaced during the trial.

A jury convicted him on all 12 counts in 2014 leading to a sentence of five years and nine months. He served nearly three years before release in 2017 and got stripped of several honors. One conviction got overturned on appeal, but the overall sentence remained.

Max Clifford

Max Clifford faced charges in 2012 under Operation Yewtree for 11 counts of indecent assault on seven women and girls from 1966 to 1984. Accusers described forced acts in his office and car. He denied all claims calling them fantasies.

A jury convicted him on eight counts in 2014 with acquittals on two and a hung jury on one. He received an eight-year prison sentence and died in 2017 while serving it. Appeals failed, and he got ordered to pay compensation to victims.

Jonathan King

Jonathan King got arrested in 2000 for sexual offenses against teenage boys from the 1960s to 1980s. Charges included buggery, attempted buggery, and indecent assault on five boys. More victims came forward after publicity.

A jury convicted him on six counts in 2001 involving four boys leading to a seven-year sentence. He served three and a half years before release in 2005. Later acquittals came in 2018 on additional charges due to prosecutorial issues.

Jeffrey Jones

Jeffrey Jones got arrested in 2002 for employing a 14-year-old boy to pose for explicit photos. Charges included possession of child pornography and solicitation of a minor. Police found images during a search.

He pleaded no contest in 2003 to the solicitation charge with others dropped. He received five years probation, counseling, and sex offender registration. In 2010, he failed to update registration leading to another misdemeanor conviction.

Victor Salva

Victor Salva faced charges in 1988 for molesting a 12-year-old actor during production of ‘Clownhouse’. Evidence included a videotape of the acts. He worked as the director at the time.

He pleaded guilty to lewd and lascivious conduct, oral copulation, and procuring a child for pornography. The court sentenced him to three years in prison, and he served 15 months. After release, he continued directing films like ‘Jeepers Creepers’.

Keith Raniere

Keith Raniere, founder of NXIVM, faced indictment in 2018 on charges of sex trafficking, forced labor, and racketeering. Prosecutors said he created a secret society within the group that branded and coerced women into sex. Victims testified about blackmail and confinement.

A jury convicted him in 2019 on all counts including sex trafficking and possession of child pornography. He received a 120-year prison sentence in 2020. Appeals failed, and several associates also got convicted for related roles.

What do you think about these celebrity cases, share your thoughts in the comments.