Shane Sparks
Shane Sparks's attorney insists his client is the victim of a "Hollywood style" extortion plot following his arrest on child molestation charges.
Sparks, best known as a judge on Randy Jackson's hit MTV show America's Best Dance Crew, was taken into Los Angeles police custody on a felony warrant on Friday (18Dec09) and charged with eight counts of child molestation, reports TMZ.com.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, Sparks allegedly committed lewd acts upon a child in multiple incidents starting back in 1994.
The acts include oral copulation and other acts "with the intent of arousing, appealing to, and gratifying the lust, passions, and sexual desires of the defendant, who was at least 10 years older than (the victim)."
The 35 year old was being held on $590,000 (£368,750) bail, which he posted Saturday night (19Dec09).
His attorney, Steve Meister, calls the accusations "extortion, Hollywood style", and insists the charges "are completely without merit".
"Meister adds Sparks "knows he is innocent and will fight to clear his name."