Porn Star Mr. Marcus Jailed For Exposing Co-Stars To Syphilis
Porn star Mr. Marcus has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for knowingly exposing at least two of his female co-stars to syphilis last year.
The 42-year-old, whose real name is Jesse Spencer, admitted to altering documents that contained the results of mandatory medical tests that all porn actors have to take, and pleaded no contest to knowingly exposing another to a communicable disease in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday.
Mr. Marcus was also sentenced to 36 months’ probation and 15 days of community labor.
According to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Mr. Marcus received a penicillin shot on July 13, 2012, after testing positive for syphilis. He tested positive again eight days later and altered a photocopy of the original test form. He appeared in two films that month, and his co-stars noticed that the form had been altered and went to the police. Both women tested negative for syphilis.
Heather DeAngelo, who goes by the name Lylith LaVey, has sued Mr. Marcus for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The case is currently in the discovery phase in Van Nuys Superior Court.
In August 2012, Mr. Marcus admitted to covering up his test results so that he could keep working. As the disease continued to spread, porn producers imposed a 10-day moratorium so that all actors could be tested and/or treated. The 18-year veteran apologized for causing the outbreak.
“I have to live with this, no one else does,” he said. “I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. I did not think that this would come out like this.”
In November, Measure B — which requires porn actors to wear condoms while performing — was passed. The measure requires that producers obtain a permit from the Department of Health, and includes regular inspections of film sets to ensure compliance. The measure was opposed by man in the industry, since porn actors already undergo monthly testing for HIV and other STDs.
Do you think Mr. Marcus should have received a longer sentence for knowingly exposing his co-stars to syphilis?
[Photo credit: Anime Nut / Flickr]
