Democratic donor Ed Buck will be held behind bars during his trial as he faces claims he caused the overdose of a man in his Los Angeles home
- The 65-year-old donor is accused of drugging Gemmel Moore, 26, in July 2017
- Prosecutors in LA demanded that Buck remain locked up throughout his trial
- Attorney Claire Simonich said Buck ‘was not contesting detention at this time’
Democrat Party donor Ed Buck will remain locked up throughout his trial after being accused of causing the overdose death of a man at his home, a court has ruled.
The 65-year-old businessman, who stumped up thousands for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns, is accused of giving 26-year-old Gemmel Moore a fatal overdose of methamphetamine.
At a pre-trial hearing in Los Angeles on Thursday, prosecutors demanded Buck be held behind bars for the duration of the trial.
Ed Buck, 65, will stand trial for giving 26-year-old Gemmel Moore a fatal overdose of methamphetamine in July 2017
Buck arrives for a campaign rally in Hollywood, California, September 22, 2010. He has now been accused of drugging at least 10 men against their will
He has stumped up thousands for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s (pictured in 2015) presidential campaigns
This request was granted by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh after defense attorney Claire Simonich said Buck ‘was not contesting detention at this time,’ according to Fox News.
In July 2017, Moore’s limp and naked body was found slumped on the donor’s living room floor at his West Hollywood home.
Buck was charged earlier this month with distribution of meth resulting in death, which carries a minimum 20-year jail sentence.
In a lawsuit, Moore’s family have claimed that Buck enjoyed sex with drugged-up young men.
Prosecutors, who have branded the donor a ‘violent, dangerous sexual predator’, also claim his hand in the death of 55-year-old Timothy Dean who was found dead at his apartment last January.
Gemmel Moore, 26, (left) was found dead of a methamphetamine overdose in July 2017 and Timothy Dean, 55, (right) was also found dead of an overdose at Buck’s apartment 18 months later
The coroner ruled both deaths accidental overdoses, and the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to file any charges against Buck. Pictured: The apartment complex where Buck lives
The coroner had ruled both deaths accidental overdoses and the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to file any charges against Buck.
But he was arrested this month after another man nearly died of an overdose at the donor’s home.
Buck has further been accused of pumping meth into at least 10 young men against their wishes after paying them for sex
The prominent LGBT activist has donated tens of thousands of dollars to campaigns of California candidates, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Buck is seen in the back of a police cruiser after he was arrested at his West Hollywood home on Tuesday evening
He has also pumped money into campaigns of senior Democrats including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Buck enjoyed a successful business career and emerged as a pioneer in the computer technology boom.
He originally lived in Arizona before moving to Los Angeles.
A one-time registered Republican, Buck began getting involved in Southern California politics in the early 1990s during which period he defected to the Democrats.
In 2007, Buck fought an unsuccessful campaign to be elected to the West Hollywood City Council.