Ever since Buzzfeed published an article in October 2017, in which actor Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of making sexual advances at him when the former child star was only 14, more than 30 people have spoken out against the former “House of Cards” actor, alleging claims of harassment to attempted rape. But it wasn’t until January 2019 that the two-time Oscar winner was charged with any crimes.
On Jan. 7, 2019, Spacey appeared before Judge Thomas S Barrett at Nantucket District Court in Nantucket, Mass., for an arraignment on the charge of indecent assault and battery, which is a felony. He’s been accused of groping a then 18-year-old man at the Club Car restaurant and bar on the island in July 2016. If convicted, the actor will face a maximum of five years in prison and may have to register as a sex offender.
At the arraignment, Spacey’s lawyers entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. There is a pre-trial hearing was set for 4 March. The judge said Spacey would not have to appear then, but had to be available by phone. The judge also ordered Spacey to stay away from the alleged victim and his family.
Following the arraignment, the alleged victim’s civil attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, said in a statement: “By reporting the sexual assault, my client is a determined and encouraging voice for those victims not yet ready to report being sexually assaulted. My client is leading by example.”
In December 2018, the alleged victim’s mother Heather Unruh, a former TV news anchor, told the Boston Globe that she was “pleased that the case is moving forward in the judicial system.”
The alleged victim’s mother has been heavily involved in the case. During a 2017 press conference in which she publicly accused Spacey, Uhruh said, “The victim, my son, was a star-struck, straight, 18-year-old young man who had no idea that the famous actor was an alleged sexual predator or that he was about to become his next victim. This was a criminal act.”
The Guardian reports that according to the complaint, Unruh’s teen son told Cape and Islands state police that he approached Spacey after he was done with his work shift at the Club Car .He told police that he was starstruck and wanted to get a Instagram photo with the celebrity.
He told police that he lied about his age and continued hanging out with Spacey, even though he says the actor made him uncomfortable, asking about penis size and inviting him back to his place. The accuser alleges Spacey reached into his pants and fondled him for about three minutes. He then claims he left when Spacey went to the restroom an unknown woman who watched the incident told him to escape. The alleged victim told investigators he stayed so long with the actor because he didn’t know what to do when Spacey touched him and was fearful of getting in trouble for underage drinking or getting his place of work in trouble.
In September 2018, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to file charges in connection to an incident that allegedly took place in West Hollywood in 1992, but stated they would continue to investigate an allegation received in August 2018.
