Entertainment Report
Democratic donor Ed Buck indicted for allegedly providing lethal doses of meth
Democratic donor Ed Buck has been indicted by a federal grand jury on narcotics distribution offenses, including two counts of distributing methamphetamine resulting in death, according to prosecutors.
The prominent 65-year-old donor was named this week in a five-count indictment that alleges Buck provided meth to Gemmel Moore, who overdosed on the drug and died on July 27, 2017. He also allegedly provided the drug to Timothy Dean, who suffered a fatal overdose in Buck’s Los Angeles area apartment on January 7, 2019.
Each charge alleging distribution of narcotics resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life without parole.
Buck is also accused of three counts of distributing meth in May 2018, December 2018 and last month. Each of those charges carries a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
There was no immediate response from Buck’s attorney.
The defendant allegedly “engaged in a pattern of soliciting men to consume drugs that Buck provided and perform sexual acts at Buck’s apartment” — a practice described as “party and play,” according to the indictment. The victims were allegedly solicited on social media, including a gay dating website, and a recruiter was sued to scout and proposition men.
“Buck exerted power over his victims, often targeting vulnerable individuals who were destitute, homeless or struggled with drug addiction, in order to exploit the relative wealth and power imbalance between them,” the indictment said.
In his apartment, Buck allegedly prepared syringes with meth and injected some of the victims with or without their consent, according to the indictment.
Moore’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February. It described Buck as a wealthy white man who “had a predatory and injurious system of soliciting Black men and watching them cling to life.”
Moore and Dean were black.
The lawsuit accused Buck of wrongful death, sexual battery and assault, and said he had not yet been prosecuted “because he is white, and because Mr. Moore was Black.”
Now that charges have been brought against Buck, Moore and Dean’s loved ones said their work has paid off.
“It’s been two-plus long years of fighting for justice for my community — the Black LGBTQ community. It’s been two years of hearing we would never see this day,” said Jasmyne Cannick, an advocate for the Victims of Ed Buck. “Let this be a warning to all of the other Ed Buck’s creeping around West Hollywood, Los Angeles County and throughout America — we’re coming for you too.”
Dean’s sister, Joann Campbell, thanked the detectives who worked hard as the family pressed them to work harder and warned Buck: “You will never hurt and cause harm to another family.”
Other overdose charges
Buck also faces state charges for allegedly injecting a 37-year-old man with meth at his West Hollywood apartment on September 11, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The man overdosed but survived.
Other state charges against Buck include a count of operating a drug house filed last month by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Buck is being held in federal custody without bond, with the federal case proceeding first.
Buck has donated to a number of Democratic candidates and PACs in recent years, according to information from OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan group that tracks money in US politics. Recipients rushed to return Buck’s money after Dean’s death.
By: NBC Palm Springs
October 3, 2019
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Cael Woody with the dot under pressure, 2) Tatum Webster with the pass breakup, 3) Ivan Garza with the rushing TD, 4) Sean Meza with the toe tap, or 5) Jesus. Valenzuela with the strong hands #fypage #fridaynightlights #top3 #hondaofthedesert
Me On A Plate is back! We head over to @tacquila_ps to talk to chef David Arreguin about his love of spice, being the seventh of nine children, and his drive to always follow his passion. Check it out now on our website nbcpalmsprings.com
Nearly a year after wildfires tore through Mountain Center, the scars are still visible along the Palms to Pines Highway. Now, fire crews are working to repair those burn areas and reduce the risk of flooding, erosion and mudslides when heavy rain arrives. The work includes fire-line suppression repairs, water bars and other measures designed to slow rainwater and keep burned soil from washing away. CAL FIRE Riverside County Battalion Chief Ryan Lubin says the steep terrain, dry brush and limited access continue to create challenges for mountain communities. With El Niño conditions expected to bring periods of heavy rain, officials say preparing now could help protect homes and communities from the aftermath of wildfire. The message from firefighters: preparation can save lives. Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com. #MountainCenter #Highway74 #PalmsToPines #CALFIRE #Wildfire WildfireRecovery FireSafety CoachellaValley SanJacintoMountains
Gas prices in Riverside County are climbing toward $6 a gallon — and that’s more than $1 higher than this time last year. A 15-gallon fill-up now costs about $86, leaving many drivers wondering how much longer they can absorb the rising cost. On this week’s Roggin Report, Fred Roggin and the panel debate how expensive gas is changing the way people travel, work and live — and why prices are so much higher here. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #RogginReport #FredRoggin #GasPrices #RiversideCounty #CoachellaValley
As the Lindsay Clancy trial begins to close, discussions regarding postpartum mental health and postpartum care have began to draw attention to the level of care needed after childbirth. Maria Noble Valdez looked at this discussion locally with a mental health expert and mom here in Coachella Valley. #lindsayclancytrial #pospartum #mentalhealth #760 #nationalnews
EVEN PARKING HAS A VIP SECTION? A mall in Bakersfield is charging shoppers up to $10 a day for preferred parking spots closer to the entrance. So we had to ask: Would you pay for a better parking spot? And could paid parking eventually come to Valley malls? Fred Roggin and the panel weigh in on this week’s Roggin Report. Would you pay $10 for a prime parking spot? #RogginReport #FredRoggin #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Parking
📞 Call 760.466.0800 or visit DAPHealth.org to schedule your appointment today! Flu viruses change every year, and getting vaccinated is the best way to strengthen your immune system, lower the risk of severe illness or hospitalization, and protect your loved ones. Sponsored by: DAP Health
A wedding day they’ll never forget. 💍🌊 A couple in the Philippines refused to let monsoon flooding wash away their special day — exchanging vows while standing waist-deep in floodwaters. Talk about making a splash on your wedding day! #WeddingDay #Philippines #Flooding #Monsoon #Wedding #Love #NBCPalmSprings
Idyllwild’s Mayor Max III is turning four! Yes, you read that right — Idyllwild has a canine mayor, and Mayor Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller III is celebrating his fourth birthday this week. Max is part of a tradition that began in 2012, when the mountain community first elected a dog as mayor. His “campaign donations”? Belly rubs and dog treats. Mayor Max’s birthday celebration is happening Saturday, September 5, at Mountain Paws in Idyllwild, and the community is invited. Come celebrate the mayor — and maybe bring a treat. #NBCPalmSprings #Idyllwild #MayorMax #MayorMaxIII #PalmSprings CoachellaValley DogsOfInstagram DogMayor CaliforniaNews
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry