Cuba Gooding Jr. Pleads Guilty To Forcible Touching & Avoids Jail In Manhattan Sex Abuse Case
Nearly three years after he hit international headlines, Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of forcible touching in his Manhattan, New York sex abuse case. The “Jerry Maguire” actor took a plea deal, making it so that he avoids any time in jail, further allowing him to salvage his career in the entertainment industry.
RELATED: Cuba Gooding Jr. Accused Of Sexual Misconduct By Three New Women
Prior to his hearing on Wednesday (Apr. 13), 54-year-old Gooding Jr. was involved in an incident that happened at a Manhattan nightclub in September 2018. A woman claimed Gooding Jr. subjected her to “sexual contact without consent” at LAVO Nightclub on the Upper East Side.
Other Accusations
Several accusations were made around this time. At least two other women stepped forward about the actor. All of the claims revolved around Gooding Jr.’s behavior. Another one of the accusers, a 30-year-old woman, claimed Gooding Jr. squeezed her breast at the Moxy Hotel in Times Square, New York in June 2019. Meanwhile, a third woman, a server at New York’s TAO Downtown restaurant, said the actor pinched her behind in October 2018.
RELATED: Cuba Gooding Jr. Accused Of Sexual Misconduct By 7 More Women
The No-Jail Plea Deal Terms
Since making headlines some years back, Gooding Jr. has now worked out a no-jail plea deal with Manhattan prosecutors. While avoiding any time in jail, the actor entered a guilty plea to forcible touching. It’s reported that the terms include Gooding Jr. being required to continue to attend alcohol and behavior modification treatment, which he began in 2019. He will have to continue for at least six more months and cannot get himself arrested during this time.
Should Gooding Jr. comply with all of the terms of his deal, within six months the actor’s misdemeanor charge will be reduced to a violation — which is not considered a crime. Essentially, Gooding Jr.’s no-jail plea deal helps him avoid being hit with a criminal record, further allowing him an opportunity to salvage his career in the entertainment industry. However, if Gooding Jr violates any of the terms outlined and agreed to in his no-jail plea deal, he will face up to a year in jail.
RELATED: Cuba Gooding Jr. Allegedly Told Woman To “Pee In My Mouth’
Manhattan DA & Prosecutors Reluctant To Offer No-Jail Plea Deal
Furthermore, it is reported that prior to striking his no-jail plea deal, Gooding Jr. and his lawyers had a hard time going up against the District Attorney in his case, identified as Cyrus Vance Jr. The reports say D.A. Vance Jr., along with the case’s prosecutors, “played hardball” by refusing to make any offers to Gooding Jr. and his legal team that did not involve jail time served.
RELATED: Cuba Gooding Jr. Loses Lawsuit Against Grope Accuser
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