Ed Buck, the multimillionaire mega-donor for the Democratic Party, was finally arrested after a third Black man overdosed on dangerous drugs at his West Hollywood, California, apartment. The first two men died at Buck’s residence and the third man was nearly killed, ABC News reports.
Describing Buck as a “violent, dangerous sexual predator,” with “no regard for human life,” who “mainly preys on men made vulnerable by addiction and homelessness,” Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Buck with running a drug den out of his home.
Buck, 65, a former model and actor who became a major donor to the Clintons and the Democratic Party, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Two Black men, both described as homeless drug addicts, have died at Buck’s home since 2017. The third unidentified Black man, 37, also described as very poor, managed to escape the home after Buck deliberately injected large doses of methamphetamines into his system. “Good Morning America” stated that Buck refused to render aid and allegedly blocked the man from seeking aid when he showed symptoms of overdosing.
“I remain deeply concerned for the safety of people whose life circumstances may make them more vulnerable to criminal predators,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement Tuesday, Sept. 17 that was obtained by ABC News.
“From his home, in a position of power, Buck manipulates his victims into participating in his sexual fetishes,” the statement continues. “These fetishes include supplying and personally administering dangerously large doses of narcotics to his victims.”
After the first two men died, police found an array of narcotics paraphernalia and sex toys inside Buck’s apartment. Despite the overwhelming “fruits of the crime” present at the scene, prosecutors refused to charge Buck citing insufficient evidence.
Buck’s “malevolent” behavior, as prosecutors described it, persisted. And on Sept. 4, Buck “personally and deliberately administered a dangerously large dose of methamphetamine” into the third Black man.
However, despite seeking medical treatment because he thought he was overdosed, that third Black man returned to Buck’s apartment on Sept. 11. Buck then injected another near-lethal dose of drugs in the man’s system. This time, Buck’s victim struggled to free himself and got medical treatment again.
After this latest occurrence, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office decided to finally have Buck arrested and charged. Prosecutors have made a bail recommendation in the amount of $4 million.
Check out more information on Ed Buck via the CBS This Morning report below:
