When we look at celebrities we can have a tendency to view them as larger than life, holding some of them to iconic statuses. It’s also no secret that their status allows for lenient treatment when they have broken the law. They often get much lighter sentences than the rest of us, when they get charged with crimes for common assault, driving under the influence, shoplifting, and vandalism. Yet as fans, we can forgive them for their crimes, almost as quickly as we condemn them.
However, there are some crimes that are so horrific and disgusting that no amount of celebrity will allow for such sentences or forgiveness, and their once iconic status comes crashing down much faster than their celebrity star status ever rose.
Not only do these crimes prove that some celebrities, athletes, and reality stars aren’t above the law in such extreme cases, but they show that despite having everything that they can still lead dark and depraved lifestyles. Here we have devised a list of some of the of the most unforgivable crimes committed by celebrities which have landed most of them a permanent residency behind bars.
15. Big Lurch – Life Imprisonment For Murder and Cannibalism
Via Imagrcade
Before he was sentenced to life for murder and aggravated mayhem on November 7, 2003, Antron Singleton who is better known by his performing name Big Lurch, was an up and coming rapper. With his distinctive 6-foot-6 frame, and deep voice he was quickly gaining a deep fan base amongst fans of the genre.
However, any potential he had of making it big was derailed after a night of partying, drinking, and taking drugs with his friend Tynisha Ysasis. Lurch who was high through the use of PCP killed her in one of the most frenzied and ferocious acts of murder that are featured on this list.
Examinations of the murder scene reported that Ysasis’ chest was ripped open with a three-inch knife, her lungs torn from her chest, there were teeth marks on her body and lungs, and the blade snapped off inside her shoulder. A medical examination on Lurch also found that his stomach contained human flesh that was not his own.
14. Darren Sharper – Jailed For Drugging And Raping At Least 9 Women
via ABC News
Darren Sharper is a former American football player and Hall of fame member that played for the National Football Alliance (NFL) for fourteen seasons between 1997 and 2009. He played for teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints. He also ties the record for the most all-time defensive touchdowns. Sharper also had a broadcasting position with the NFL Network before he was fired for multiple rape offenses.
On January 17, 2014, Darren Sharper was originally arrested on two counts of sexual assault, but the true nature of his predatory crimes spanned four states. Sharper was a prolific rapist that pleaded guilty or no contest to drugging and raping at least 9 women – four of which were raped within 24 hours in two states.
At sentencing, the judge stated that there may have been as many as 16 more victims nationwide, and had he not pleaded guilty Sharper would have been facing at least 30 years in prison. He was sentenced to a total of 20 years with all charges running concurrently.
13. Ricardo Medina Jr – Voluntary Manslaughter
Via TV Guide
Ricardo Medina is an American actor best known for his role as the Red Wild Force Ranger, Cole Evans, on the television series Power Rangers Wild Force. He also played/voiced Deker in Power Rangers Super Samurai from 2011 to 2012, and had roles in ER, and CSI: Miami.
On February 1, 2015, arrested after stabbing his roommate Josh Sutter in the abdomen with a sword, as the result of a heated argument that erupted over the way Medina’s girlfriend parked her car. There were no charges filed against him, but after further investigation, Medina was rearrested a year later on murder charges in connection with Sutter’s death. He originally faced a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 26 years. However, after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter Medina was instead sentenced to 6 years in prison on March 30, 2017.
12. Taylor Poulin – Accessory To Murder, Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offences
Via CBC
Taylor Poulin was an American actor that starred in Dog Pound, a Canadian remake of the British film based in a youth offenders borstal known as Scum. Although it was Poulin’s first role, his performance was praised by critics for being able to bring authenticity to the character, having used his own experiences in a juvenile detention center to channel his performance.
Unfortunately, despite Poulin showing some promise as an actor, he was arrested for his role in a botched drug deal that led to the murder of 17-year-old Tyler Zanco. Poulin arrived at the drug deal with a loaded handgun, accompanied by his friend Domingo Mendes. There was a confrontation and Zanco attempted to steal the marijuana from Poulin, but Poulin struck the teenage boy in the head.
When Zanco tried to escape, Mendes grabbed Poulin’s gun and shot the fleeing teen in the back fatally wounding him. Mendes was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving life imprisonment, and Poulin was sentenced to 5 to 7 years for of being an accessory after the fact to murder, possessing a firearm without a license and drug trafficking.
11. Will Hayden – Life Imprisonment For The Molestation Of His Own Ex-Girlfriend’s Daughter
Via Discovery
Sons of Guns was one of the Discovery Channels highest rated reality shows in the US. It starred Will Hayden a highly respected and former Marine Sergeant alongside his daughter Stephanie, and it centered around Hayden’s gun making business, Red Jacket. The show aired from 2011 until 2014 when it was canceled due to Hayden’s arrest for the molestation of a 12-year-old girl – the daughter of an ex-girlfriend.
After initially standing by her father, Stephanie withdrew her support and also her accused her father of raping her when she was just 12-years-old. In addition, a 37-year-old woman (who was a child at the time ) came forward and testified that he also repeatedly raped her over a two year period, the same length of time that he abused his youngest victim.
After being found guilty for the first two offenses, he pleaded no contest for the crimes against his daughter and was sentenced to three life sentences plus 40 years in prison with no possibility of parole.
10. Javaris Crittenton -Manslaughter For A Drive By Shooting
Via ESPN
Javaris Crittenton was a former professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association, and the Chinese Basketball Association. His most notable stint was when he played point guard for two seasons after being drafted by the LA Lakers in 2007.
On August 26, 2011, Crittenton was arrested and charged with the murder of a 22-year-old mother of four Jullian Jones in a drive by shooting. It was officially stated that Jullian Jones was not the intended target and that Crittenton was aiming for the man that robbed him. Nevertheless, his thoughtless act of revenge cost Jones her life as she died during surgery.
Shortly before his trial was about to begin, Crittenton stated that “it’s time to be a man” and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
9. Craig Titus & Kelly Ryan – Arson And Battery With A Deadly Weapon Resulting In Death
Via murderpedia
Kelly Ryan and Craig Titus were former IFBB professional bodybuilders and one of the most recognizable couples in the fitness industry until they were convicted of the murder of their friend and live-in assistant Melissa James.
Melissa James moved to Titus and Ryan’s home to help them launch their own line of clothing, and then for reasons that are still unclear to this day the couple killed her and burned her body in Kelly’s car.
Despite the couple trying to burn Kelly’s body, the autopsy revealed that she was beaten, had wire around her neck, duct tape over her mouth, marks from a stun-gun and toxic levels of morphine found her body.
After getting caught on the run 9 days later, both Ryan and Titus pleaded guilty to the charges. However, their admission of guilt didn’t prevent the judge from handing down a heavy sentence, Ryan was sentenced to 6 to 26 years, and Titus got 21 to 55 years in prison — Kelly Ryan’s first attempt at parole was already denied in 2016.
8. Phil Spector – Second Degree Murder
Via Rolling Stone
Before he sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for second-degree murder, Phil Spector was an eccentric music producer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Despite being a recluse, he was a giant in the music industry and is still recognized as one of the most influential figures in pop music history, he’s a man who many consider as being a musical genius.
Spector created and developed the now-famous “Spector Sound” technique. Opinion on the technique is divided, but it was designed to create higher quality sound for jukeboxes and AM radio, by creating a more full, distinct and rich sound.
After an evening out with the actress Lana Clarkson they went back to his mansion to continue the evening, but unfortunately, it ended with tragic consequences. Spector would shoot and kill the actress with a gunshot wound to the mouth. It remains unclear at what exactly transpired during that fateful night, but Spector claimed that the killing was an “accidental suicide” after “she kissed the gun” while it was in his hand at the time.
Apparently Spector had a reputation for threatening people with a gun, as there are stories of him pointing a gun at artists like Debbie Harry, John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, The Ramones, and even his ex-wife the former Ronettes singer Ronnie Bennett was threatened and held hostage at his mansion, before escaping and divorcing him in 1974.
7. Vybz Kartel – Jailed For Murder
Via mirror
Vybz Kartel is a hip hop reggae dancehall artist that was (along with three other men) convicted for the murder of his associate Clive “Lizard” Williams. He is currently doing a life sentence and won’t be eligible for parole until he’s served at least 35 years in a maximum security prison.
Kartel’s conviction was based on an incriminating text sent from his phone detailing what he did with Williams’ body parts after the murder. He continues to dispute the evidence to this day and even has other celebrities such as the Olympic track star Usain Bolt (pictured above in yellow) campaigning for his release.
Even prior to his arrest, Vybz was known to be the head of a gang called the Gaza, whose territory was in Portmore and they were violent rivals of the Gully a gang that represented Mavado. Yet despite these affiliations, Kartel’s worked with Jay-z, Rhianna, Kanye West, and was the star of his own MTV reality show. He continues to release new music from prison to this day.
6. Mel Hall – Crimes Against Minors
via Lonnie Major/Allsport
Mel Hall is a former Major League Baseball player that played in the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and the San Francisco Giants from the early eighties to the mid-nineties. Despite having a great a deal of success during his career he gained a reputation as being arrogant, entitled and a bully, which led to his firing from the Yankees at the peak of his career.
However, his contempt for others would sink to new lows when he was arrested in 2007 for a rape committed in 1999, the victim was just 17 at the time. Further investigation led to another rape victim coming forward who was also underage at just 12-years-old. Hall was sentenced in 2009 and is currently serving 45 years in prison for three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. He won’t be eligible for parole until he has served at least 22 years of his sentence.
5. War Machine – Life Imprisonment For Kidnapping, And Sexual Assault With A Deadly Weapon
Via ESPN
War Machine (birth name John Koppenhaver) was a charismatic mixed martial artist that found popularity when he joined the ranks of the UFC after appearing on the reality series The Ultimate Fighter. However, his road to success was cut short after a series of career destroying statements, acts of violence outside the cage, and the horrific beating and sexual assault of his former girlfriend Christy Mack for which he’s serving life imprisonment.
War Machine was fired from the UFC due to his attitude but decided on a career in the adult industry where he met and performed with adult actress Christy Mack. With no outlet for his violence, War Machine eventually found himself on the wrong side of the law when he brutally beat and choked a man in a bar.
His descent continued when broke into Mack’s apartment beat up her former boyfriend, and violently beat and sexually assaulted Mack over a two hour period in 2014. Mack suffered a shattered eye socket, missing teeth, a serious leg injury, and a lacerated liver.
4. Eric Naposki – Life Imprisonment For Murder
Via CI
Former American football player Eric Napowski played as a linebacker for the New England Patriots, and Indianapolis Colts for the NFL between 1988 and 1997. In 2012, Napowski was sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for the cold case murder of a Newport Beach millionaire William McLaughlin in 1994.
He conspired with his secret lover Nannette McNeal — who was engaged to McLaughlin at the time — to kill the millionaire so she could claim $1 million in life insurance. Napowski was found guilty of breaking into McLaughlin’s home using a key given to him by McNeal, and shooting the 55-year-old millionaire six times in the chest while his 24-year-old disabled son was sleeping upstairs.
Johnson, who was also stealing thousands of dollars of from McLaughlin’s bank accounts in the months leading up to the murder, was also sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
3. Shelly Mallil – Life Imprisonment After Stabbing His Ex 23 Times
via Zimbio
Shelly Mallil is an actor best known for playing likable characters in various film and television roles, but it is his appearance in 40-year-old virgin alongside Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell that he’s best known for.
However, in a display of malice which was a far cry from the likable characters the actor portrays on screen, Malil was sentenced in 2010 for the attempted premeditated murder and assault with a deadly weapon used against his former girlfriend Kendra Beebe.
Malil stabbed Beebe 23 times with a kitchen knife after catching her drinking wine with another man. Prior to this, Malil emailed Beebe’s co-workers some sexually explicit images of the couple. He received a life sentence for the offenses but is eligible for parole in 12 years – now 9 years after time already served.
2. Michael Jace – Shot His Wife 3 Times With His Children Present At Their Home
Via ABCnews
Michael Jace was one of the main cast members of the FX television series The Shield, which was a role that won him a lot of critical acclaim for his performance as the kind-hearted police officer Julien Lowe who struggled between his deeply religious beliefs and homosexuality. In addition, he has made several mainstream movie appearances in films like Planet of The Apes and Boogie Nights.
In a contrast to the good-natured cop that he portrayed on TV, in May of 2014, Jace shot his wife three times fatally wounding her, as their children were in another room listening to it all. By his own admission, Jace wanted to kill himself too making it a murder-suicide, but he was unable to go with the act.
Michael Jace was found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole in forty years — if or when he reaches the age of 94.
1. Ian Watkins – Multiple Crimes Against Children
Via Mirror/Rockfeed
Ian Watkins achieved fame and stardom as a founding member of the Welsh rock band the Lostprophets. The band rose to fame during the popularity of Nu Metal, and have since achieved a number one hit single on the US Alternative Songs chart, top 10 hits in the UK singles charts, six Kerrang! Awards, an NME for “Best Metal Act” and they sold 3.5 million albums worldwide.
The band split in 2012 when Watkins was arrested for multiple sexual offenses against children — one which was a baby boy. Watkins pleaded guilty to attempted rape, four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and six counts of making or possessing indecent images of children. The evidence revealed that Watkins was obsessed with videoing himself with children and he is as sadistic as he is depraved.
After Watkins’ guilty plea was accepted he showed a complete lack of remorse in a recorded conversation with a female fan, when he described the charges as “mega lolz”. Additionally, the senior investigating officer described Watkins as “potentially the most dangerous sex offender” he had ever seen. Watkins was sentenced to 29 years for his crimes with eligibility to apply for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Sources: Murderpedia, Dancehallhiphop, MTV, Mentalfloss
