Martin Weiss (Booking Photo) |
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KTLA) -- A 47-year-old talent agent for children was charged Thursday with eight felony counts of child molestation.
Martin Weiss, 47, is charged with three counts of sodomy of a person under 16; two counts each of lewd act upon a child and continuous sexual abuse; and one count of forcible lewd act upon a child.
Weiss, a self-employed talent agent specializing in child actors, has been operating his business out of his home in Santa Monica for the past 14 years.
Prior to his talent agency business, Weiss earned a living renting himself out as a costumed character for children's parties with costumes ranging from cartoon characters to the Easter Bunny.
About a week ago an 18-year-old man who was a prior client of Weiss', came forward with allegations that Weiss had repeatedly molested him over a three-year period between 2005 and 2008.
The victim had been 11-15 years old at the time.
The crimes allegedly occurred at a residence in Woodland Hills as well as at Weiss' residence in Santa Monica.
The victim had kept the molestation a secret until now because he feared the disclosure would damage his reputation in the industry and traumatize his family.
He finally came forward out of concern Weiss may be victimizing others.
If convicted as charged, Weiss could face 80 years in state prison.
Weiss is being held on $800,000 bail.
Martin Weiss, 47, is charged with three counts of sodomy of a person under 16; two counts each of lewd act upon a child and continuous sexual abuse; and one count of forcible lewd act upon a child.
Weiss, a self-employed talent agent specializing in child actors, has been operating his business out of his home in Santa Monica for the past 14 years.
Prior to his talent agency business, Weiss earned a living renting himself out as a costumed character for children's parties with costumes ranging from cartoon characters to the Easter Bunny.
About a week ago an 18-year-old man who was a prior client of Weiss', came forward with allegations that Weiss had repeatedly molested him over a three-year period between 2005 and 2008.
The victim had been 11-15 years old at the time.
The crimes allegedly occurred at a residence in Woodland Hills as well as at Weiss' residence in Santa Monica.
The victim had kept the molestation a secret until now because he feared the disclosure would damage his reputation in the industry and traumatize his family.
He finally came forward out of concern Weiss may be victimizing others.
If convicted as charged, Weiss could face 80 years in state prison.
Weiss is being held on $800,000 bail.
