Man accused of having sex with minor marries his alleged victim
A Newport Beach fitness photographer accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl has married his alleged victim now that she's an adult, county records show.
Jason James Ellis, 36, who is facing statutory rape charges, married the 18-year-old woman in Laguna Hills on Feb. 28, according to an Orange County license and certificate of marriage.
Prosecutors said the woman has stopped cooperating with authorities in their felony case against Ellis and his ex-fiancée, Michelle Hecker, who had been accused of sexually assaulting the then-minor female in 2007 and 2008. It's not clear how the marriage would affect a jury's decision, but Deputy Dist. Atty. Drew Haughton said the circumstances are certainly unusual in a sexual assault case such as statutory rape.
"I typically saw weddings more in the context where there was a pregnancy involved and they wanted to keep the family together," Haughton said, adding that Ellis and his wife aren't expecting as far as he knows. "I don't think I've ever seen one with this large an age difference."
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-- Joseph Serna, Daily Pilot / Times Community News
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Age of Consent laws are too strict--America the prude! Puberty comes at a much younger age than 18. The Age of Consent should be reduced and these young adults be educated properly so they don't become a statistic. This is the natural order of things--watch the Discovery Channel!
"I typically saw weddings more in the context where there was a pregnancy involved and they wanted to keep the family together," this is usually a statistical issue that occurrs when the offending individuals are both minors--most adults are educated/experienced enough to prevent a pregnancy to occur in these type of situations.
Posted by: Joe | April 20, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Wow.
Posted by: Mern | April 20, 2011 at 09:50 AM
He'll just do it again. Creep.
Posted by: LaycyKaycy | April 20, 2011 at 09:57 AM
WHAT?!!! Newport Beach fitness photographer-GROSS!!! You know he does this to all the females he takes pictures of. He tells them they look beautiful and blah..blah..blah. he brain washes them. He's a pervert and he needs to get locked up. Maybe if he would of never raped the "minor" the girl might of had a normal life. I think he has her where he wants her. He thinks by them being married that would change the outcome of this trail. I hope not, LOCK this PERVERT UP. Like he can't have sex with ladies his own age? Give me a break.
Posted by: VANESSA L.A. Baby | April 20, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Uh... Okay... Hmmmmm... Yeah, right.
Posted by: DMAC | April 20, 2011 at 10:47 AM
neat trick...I don't believe a spouse can be compelled to testify angainst her husband...
Posted by: Ron | April 20, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Ahhh another underage naughty "victim" exposed for what she really is :) a willing, consenting and happy participant.
Does anyone really think she believed the adult man she was having sex with was 15, 16, 17 rears old?
Posted by: Realist58 | April 20, 2011 at 03:27 PM
This union will end up in divorce she will leave him for a younger man by the time she gets more older and mature. She cannot find guys her age and he cannot hook up with women his own age or around there.. What a Loser and shes nothing but a Nympho
Posted by: Frederic Salgado | April 20, 2011 at 04:08 PM
No willing victim? Victim has married the defendant? Waste of time and money. The D.A.'s office should move to dismiss. There are much bigger fish to fry.
Posted by: Crazy Horse | April 20, 2011 at 04:53 PM