Former adult film star Ron Jeremy, who was declared unfit to stand trial on multiple sexual assault charges last year, will now be released to a private residence due to his deteriorating health. The 70-year-old, who is suffering from dementia and has been under conservatorship, has been held at Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles. However, a judge granted a request to release him to a private residence where he will receive round-the-clock medical care after it was determined that no medical facility would accept him.
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson, in an email to victims in Jeremy’s criminal case, explained that his medical condition had worsened to the point where he was essentially bedridden. Thompson expressed concerns about public safety regarding Jeremy’s release, but the motion filed by the county Public Guardian’s office on Jeremy’s behalf was approved.
Thompson declined to comment further, and Jeremy’s conservator also refrained from making a statement. The spokesperson for the Public Guardian, which falls under the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, was unavailable for immediate comment.
Jeremy’s attorney admitted that he was unaware of the specific details regarding the private residence where his client would be released or the security measures in place, if any.
The charges against Jeremy originated in 2020 when he was accused of sexually assaulting four women he had met in bars along the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, particularly at the Rainbow Room Bar & Grill. Subsequently, numerous women, including those in the adult film and sex work industries, came forward with allegations of groping and rape spanning several decades and multiple cities.
In 2021, Jeremy faced a 34-count indictment based on accusations by 23 different women, some dating back to 1996. The charges included instances of Jeremy attacking women while they slept and using foreign objects. One allegation involved a lewd act against a 15-year-old at a party in Santa Clarita.
However, legal proceedings came to a halt in March 2022 when Jeremy’s defense attorney informed the court that his client no longer recognized him. Ten months later, a judge officially declared Jeremy incompetent to stand trial.
According to his attorney, Stu Goldfarb, Friday’s ruling was the most humane outcome for a defendant facing irreversible health decline without a conviction. Goldfarb emphasized the need to protect the public and safeguard Jeremy’s civil rights by placing him in a secure facility rather than prison.
Jeremy has consistently denied all allegations, and Goldfarb reiterated his client’s innocence.
Prosecutors expressed concerns that Jeremy could pose a threat to caregivers, as he allegedly attempted to assault staff at previous facilities. Tiffiny Blacknell, the director of communications for the district attorney’s office, mentioned that Jeremy’s advocates argued he would be physically incapable of leaving the residence.
In an email to the victims, Deputy District Attorney Thompson expressed disappointment over the outcome of the case. He acknowledged that complete justice could not be achieved in court due to Jeremy’s rapid mental and physical deterioration.
This article was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
