Anand Jon
Anand John Alexander | |
|---|---|
| File:Anand Jon.jpg Anand Jon at his trial | |
| Status | Inacarcerated |
| Occupation(s) | fashion designer and company director |
| Criminal charge | multiple counts of rape and child molestation |
| Penalty | Life in prison (further charges pending) |
Anand Jon Alexander (born on 28th November, 1976 in Kerala, India[1] is a fashion designer and a convicted serial child molestor and serial rapist who appeared on America's Next Top Model and rose to fame in the fashion industry prior to being convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse and child molestation.
US career
Jon was born in South 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[8], and Janet Jackson.[3] His style was primarily known for its specific detail and Indian influence.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11] He pled "not guilty" to all charges.
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 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 67 years old.[12]
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.[13] Sentencing ultimately was delayed for eight months because of proceedings regarding a juror who contacted Jon's sister.[14]
On August 31, 2009, Jon was sentenced to 59 years to life.[15] In the near future, he is expected to be extradited to New York, 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.[16] Jon also faces pending charges in Texas and Massachusetts.
References
- ^ http://www.ganeshaspeaks.com/blog_The_rise_and_fall_of_Anand_Jon_2075.jsp
- ^ http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/us-fashion-designer-gets-59-years-to-life-sentence-for-rape-20090901-f5jw.html
- ^ a b http://www.anandjon.com/designer.cfm?part=background
- ^ http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=88
- ^ http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=136
- ^ http://www.anandjon.com/collections.cfm?Atom_eve
- ^ http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=84
- ^ http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=88
- ^ http://www.anandjon.com/press.cfm?part=media&article=88
- ^ "US celebrity designer charged with rape". New Zealand Herald. 2007-03-15.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "4 more women accuse designer Anand Jon of sex assault". Los Angeles Times. 2007-03-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Anand Jon Alexander Guilty of Rape". Los Angeles Times. 2008-11-13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Anand Jon acts as own attorney in sexual-assault case". Los Angeles Times. 2009-07-14.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Juror in celebrity fashion designer case fined $1,000 for contempt". Los Angeles Times. 2009-09-14.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "LA Fashion Designer Gets 59 Years to Life Sentence". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 31, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
- ^ "Rape Fiend New York Bound". 2009-07-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Text "publisherNY Post" ignored (help)