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AMERICAN DANCE CREW SHANE SPARKS VOWS TO FIGHT CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES
By: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer - 01-19-10 - 12:00 a.m. PDT
Email Paul at PaulG@JRLChartsonline.com
After being arrested at his North Hollywood home back on December 18, 2009 and with eight felony counts of lewd acts with a child up against him, American Dance Crew judge Shane Sparks is holding firm to his innocence.Dancer/Choreographer "Shane" Sparks was arrested last month for alleged Child Molestation charges. The irony of this case is that these child molestation charges arise out of an alleged incidents that occurred between 1994 and 1997.
The first thing you would say is, the statute of limitations (the time by which criminal charges must be filed) have already expired so why is the district attorney's office filing charges?
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Prosecutors charged Melvin “Shane” Sparks, a judge on “America’s Best Dance Crew” and a choreographer on “So You Think You Can Dance”, with eight felony counts of lewd acts with a child under California Penal Code 288.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is depending on a California Penal Code 801(f) that provides that the statute of limitations for certain sex offenses committed against minors may be extended if the following three conditions are satisfied. These are the conditions according to the statute:
(1) the statute of limitations has otherwise expired
(2) the crime(s) involved substantial sexual conduct
And
(3) there is clear and convincing evidence that corroborates the victim’s allegations. According to the Los Angeles D.A.’s Office, each of these conditions has been fulfilled.
Should Shane Sparks be convicted of lewd acts with a child under California Penal Code 288 (otherwise known as “child molestation”), he not only will be looking at imprisonment and substantial fines, but will he will be bound to provide a DNA sample and register as a sex offender for life.
(Watch Video of Shane Sparks Arrest)
After Shane Sparks posted a $ 590,000 bail, he spoke through his attorney Steve Meister and stated that "Shane is innocent and merely the victim of an extortion plot. LAPD detectives are still investigating and looking for other possible victims".
Check out the TMZ video of Sparks being arrested in the early morning ours of December 18, 2009 by Van Nuys Police officers. We'll keep you posted on this story as it unwinds.
