Anand Jon

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Anand Jon
Anand Jon at his trial
Anand Jon at his trial
Born November 28, 1973 (1973-11-28) (age 38)
Kerala, Republic of India
Charge(s) multiple counts of rape and child molestation
Penalty Life in prison (further charges pending)
Status Incarcerated
Occupation fashion designer and company director

Anand Jon Alexander (born November 28, 1973)[1], know simply as Anand Jon; is a fashion designer who appeared on America's Next Top Model and rose to fame in the fashion industry prior to being indicted and convicted of multiple counts of sex crimes against aspiring models.

Contents

Career

Jon was born in Kerala, India and came to the U.S. to study at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and later at Parsons The New School for Design.[2] He sold collections at a variety of stores including Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco, and Luisa Via Roma in Florence, Italy.[3] His clothes had been modeled by and designed for celebrities like Paris Hilton,[4] Rosario Dawson,[5] Laurence Fishburne,[6] Gina Torres,[7] Oprah Winfrey,[4] and Janet Jackson.[3] His style was primarily known for its specific detail and Indian influence.[4]

Arrest and conviction

Jon was arrested in March 2007 in Beverly Hills, California on rape and related charges, based on the allegations of numerous aspiring models, including committing lewd conduct upon a minor.[8] Later, the prosecutor added 15 additional felony counts as the investigation expanded. Jon was required to surrender his passport to authorities and was not allowed to leave the U.S.[9] He pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense was that the women and children were bitter because he did not hire them.

On November 13, 2008, Jon was convicted of 16 out of 23 counts of sexual abuse; charges included the forcible rape of seven women and girls, aged 14 to 21. He was also convicted of production and possession of child pornography.[1] He was initially scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2009. Because the case involved special circumstances against multiple victims, a mandatory life sentence was required by law. As a result, Jon would not be eligible for parole until the year 2075, when he would be over 100 years old.[10]

In July 2009, a judge denied Jon's request for a new trial. Jon then fired his high profile attorneys in the days leading up to his sentencing. He petitioned for and was granted permission to represent himself for the sentencing phase of the proceedings.[11] Sentencing ultimately was delayed for eight months because of proceedings regarding a juror who contacted Jon's sister.[12]

On August 31, 2009, Jon was sentenced to 59 years to life.[13] In the near future, he is expected to be extradited to New York City, where prosecutors will charge him with more than 40 counts, including first-degree forcible rape and rape of a minor, involving 12 additional women and children.[14] Jon also faces pending charges in Texas and Massachusetts.

Personal life

Jon is a nephew of renowned Indian classical musician and playback singer, K.J. Yesudas.[15] He has a sister, Sanjana Jon, who has actively campaigned for his acquittal.

References

  1. ^ a b "California Registered Sex Offender Profile - Anand Alexander". Megan's Law - California Sex Offender Registry. http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/cgi/prosoma.dll?searchby=offender&id=18609292N2416. Retrieved July 24, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Anand Jon Alexander | US fashion designer gets 59 years to life sentence for rape". Smh.com.au. 2009-09-01. http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/us-fashion-designer-gets-59-years-to-life-sentence-for-rape-20090901-f5jw.html. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  3. ^ a b "anandjon.com". anandjon.com. http://www.anandjon.com/designer.cfm?part=background. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  4. ^ a b c "anandjon.com". anandjon.com. http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=88. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  5. ^ "anandjon.com". anandjon.com. http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=136. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  6. ^ "anandjon.com". anandjon.com. http://www.anandjon.com/collections.cfm?Atom_eve. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  7. ^ "anandjon.com". anandjon.com. http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=84. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  8. ^ "US celebrity designer charged with rape". New Zealand Herald. 2007-03-15. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10428948. 
  9. ^ Winton, Richard (2007-03-20). "4 more women accuse designer Anand Jon of sex assault". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-designer20mar20,1,1043184.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california. 
  10. ^ Leonard, Jack (2008-11-13). "Anand Jon Alexander Guilty of Rape". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-anand14-2008nov14,0,1094449.story. 
  11. ^ "Anand Jon acts as own attorney in sexual-assault case". Los Angeles Times. 2009-07-14. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/anand-jon-acts-as-own-defense.html. 
  12. ^ "Juror in celebrity fashion designer case fined $1,000 for contempt". Los Angeles Times. 2009-09-14. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/anand-jon.html. 
  13. ^ "LA Fashion Designer Gets 59 Years to Life Sentence". Associated Press. The New York Times. August 31, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/31/us/AP-US-Fashion-Designer.html. Retrieved September 1, 2009. [dead link]
  14. ^ Hamilton, Brad (2009-07-12). "Rape Fiend New York Bound". NY Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/07122009/news/regionalnews/manhattan/rape_fiend_ny_bound_178805.htm. 
  15. ^ TNN, Mar 18, 2007, 12.30pm IST (2007-03-18). "Flashback of a rape accused - Page2 - Sunday TOI - Home - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Sunday-TOI/articleshow/msid-1775512,curpg-2.cms. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 

External links

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