Another SYTYCD Choreographer Arrested: Shane Sparks Charged with Child Molestation
Scary news out of the SYTYCD world today, according to sources, Shane Sparks
was arrested today and charged with 9 counts of felony child molestation. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a SYTYCD choreographer has been arrested, Alex DaSilva was arrested and charged with rape earlier this year.
From articles on Usmagazine.com and TVGuide.com, among others:
“According to the criminal complaint filed by the L.A. County District Attorney’s office, the alleged molestation — with an underage girl — began in 1994.”
“The lewd 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].”
-US Magazine
“Sparks was arrested early Friday morning at his Hollywood home and brought to a Van Nuys, Calif., jail where he is currently being held on $590,000 bail, LAPD spokesman, Richard French, told TVGuide.com. French also added that Sparks was the “subject of an ongoing child molestation investigation.” -TV Guide
Shane has contributed some wonderful and memorable pieces to the history of SYTYCD. It’s a very unfortunate situation and will probably have a major affect on Shane’s involvement with SYTYCD. We can only hope that the investigation is completed thoroughly and fairly for everyone involved, especially the alleged victims.
Wow! I would have never expected to see something like this with Shane’s name on it. I hate to judge when it’s so early and we know so few details, plus the salacious news media that we have today. However, 9 counts by the LA district attorney is pretty ugly to consider.
so sad. I hope there aren’t any other skeletons like this in other choreographers’ closets!
What a shock too. Never would have suspected Shane for something like this. Then again – its usually the people you least suspect. If its true – I hope the victim(s) get justice.
Just watched the video on TMZ. Im shocked but really the things he is accused of happened more than 10 years ago, so why are they just now accusing him of this? I guess only time will tell.
Amanda, i was confused somewhat by that, too. isn’t the statute of limitation 5 years? something may be unique about this because of the alleged victim(s) being children. i honestly just don’t know. i’ll keep you guys posted if i hear anything new.
In Cali, the statute of limitations stems from the discovery of the abuse (3 years), usually from therapy.
This abuse allegedly happened once in 1994 with a child under 14. He is 40 years old now, so that would have made him 25 years old]
with a child around 13 (who would be around 28 now).
I wonder what really happened here. Hmm.
PLEASE PLEASE let this be a nightmare! Up until Nabytabs No one could choreograph a hip-hop number like Shane! and if the person was 14/15 in 94 she would be in her late 20’s early 30’s now. And she is just now filing a complaint? thats odd! Oh i hope its not true and he will get cleared and back to the nxt season of SYTYCD!
It is rather odd (unless it was a child-child and not a teenager in 1994…then it would explain why he/she did not know to report anything or didn’t say anything).
With that said, victims may often be scared to report things or feel embarrassed or to blame. I don’t want to let my (a) like for Shane or (b) natural incredulity become victim-blaming, so I’m going to try to keep that in mind until the facts become clear.
Even if he is innocent, honestly, SYTYCD probably won’t have him back on the show. Just being accused of something like that will mess up his career. Fox can’t afford to have people attacking them for hiring a “possible pedophile.” In all likelihood, we won’t ever see him do a piece for the show again.
yeah your probably right. and he’s been pretty Absent from the show the past few seasons up till this past one
kenna:
I’m really sad that this had to come out now. I read that the victim was about 14/15 years old at the time and we don’t even know if the act that Shane is being accused of was consensual. I agree though, innocent or not, he can’t return to choreograph, not with that stigma.
Plus 1994 is such a long time ago….
what the hell!