On Dec. 16, 2005, Ezell Elester Channel, a convicted sex offender, was arrested on the suspicion of molesting a 14-year-old boy at Nickelodeon Animation Studios while he served as a production assistant on the film, ADAM SANDLER'S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS, reports the BURBANK LEADER.
Channel, 36, of Tarzana, California was charged with two felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child specifically, fondling by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Burbank Police Sgt. Jay Jette said. Channel was jailed on $500,000 bond, with his arraignment set for Monday.
The alleged victim's mother filed a complaint with police Dec. 13, after Channel began spending time with her son and found Channel on the Megan's Law website, which gives information about the records and locations of convicted child molesters. Previously, he has been convicted of engaging in lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14.
Though Channel had only worked at Nickelodeon for several months as a freelance, temporary employee, it seems the incident took place at the studio, where he was arrested.
A Nickelodeon spokesperson told AWN, We are fully cooperating with an ongoing police investigation. At this time we cannot comment further until we are made aware of all the details of this investigation.
Police are investigating whether there have been other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ron Miller at (818) 238-3279.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
