'Felt abused again': Ron Jeremy victims demand 'closure' as he won't be tried for sexual assault of 21 women as he's mentally unfit
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Disgraced porn star Ron Jeremy was reportedly committed to a state mental health hospital after he was deemed incompetent to stand trial on a series of rape and sexual assault charges. The Los Angeles District Attorney said Jeremy can be held in the hospital for up to two years, and a hearing on his progress is scheduled on May 8.
The 69-year-old former adult performer was indicted on 30 counts of sexual abuse after 21 victims -- some as young as 15 years old -- brought forth the allegations. According to prosecutors, Ronald Jeremy Hyatt restrained some of the women, raped or sodomized them, and engaged in sexual intercourse with others who were either asleep or unconscious.
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However, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald S Harris ruled in January that Jeremy was not competent to assist in his defense. According to Harris, the retired pornstar suffered from "incurable neurocognitive decline", citing medical reports that said he has dementia, is "incoherent," and suffers from acute hearing loss. Jeremy was notably one of the biggest names in the adult film industry, appearing in more than 2,000 movies over his career that started in the 1970s. He was arrested and put behind bars in 2020, and his severe dementia was determined by a review of medical documents and interviews.
'That's Ron'
Former British pornstar Lianne Young, who went by the soubriquet Billie Britt, accused Jeremy of sexually assaulting her at a Halloween party on the Sunset Strip in 2000. She recalled wearing a bikini at the former House of Blues during a porn industry Halloween party when Jeremy allegedly pushed her onto a table and forced himself inside her. The alleged victim said the ordeal lasted only a couple of seconds as she fought the perp off of her. According to Young, at least three industry execs witnessed the assault in front of them, but none of them reacted. "People were just like, 'That's Ron,'" she said.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/HZQfS7RK6T
— The real Lianne Young (@TheLianneYoung) November 3, 2022
Young said she felt "numb" after learning that Jeremy wouldn't have to stand trial due to his mental incompetency. "They were aware of his condition before getting us all involved," she told the LA Times. "They were well aware he had dementia, so I'm very disappointed that they didn’t solve that bit before letting us go on that emotional journey for two and a half years." Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Young added, "I really can’t put into words how angry I am. I will never get closure. He could have been brought to justice much sooner, but Ron was built up to be this king who was untouchable and his lawyers kept delaying the case. I felt abused again and like a pawn in a game. It felt like getting hit in the stomach by a 200mph tennis ball."
It's public this creature has managed to avoid sentencing. I will use this platform to advice women how I feel. Always report sexual crimes. Never be ashamed of who you are. Never feel you need to stay quiet. Stand up for whats right
— The real Lianne Young (@TheLianneYoung) January 25, 2023
#journorequest #victims #NoJusticeNoPeace pic.twitter.com/c9pqqtiNP1
What are the charges against Ron Jeremy?
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Jeremy was facing 12 counts of forcible rape, seven counts of forcible oral copulation, six counts of sexual battery, and two counts of penetration while the victim was asleep or unconscious. The alleged offenses are said to have taken place at nightclubs and bars in the Los Angeles area, during photo shoots, and at the pornstar's home.
Jeremy was charged with four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object and two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious or asleep person. He was additionally charged with one count each of lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 or 15, sodomy by use of force, and assault with intent to commit rape. According to LA DA George Gascón, the alleged sexual assaults occurred over the course of more than 23 years and involved 21 alleged victims ranging in age from 15 to 51.