Cartoonist for Hustler Held in Molestation

A Simi Valley man who draws a cartoon called “Chester the Molester” for Hustler Magazine was charged Friday with molesting a teen-age girl, authorities said.

Dwaine Tinsley, 43, was arrested at his home Thursday, a day after the girl complained to police, Simi Valley Police Lt. Bob Klamser said.

The Ventura County district attorney’s office filed nine sexual molestation charges against Tinsley in connection with incidents alleged to have occurred from 1983 to 1986, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin McGee. The charges include molestation of a child under the age of 14, McGee said.

Authorities would not disclose the age of the victim, describing her only as a teen-ager. But McGee, who supervises the Ventura County district attorney’s sexual assault unit, said Tinsley held a position of special trust with the girl because she is a relative.

Tinsley could not be reached for comment. But his wife, Susan, said in an interview that she believes that the girl is making up the allegations in retaliation for steps Tinsley had taken to discipline her.

Tinsley has drawn the “Chester” cartoon for Hustler for the last 13 years, said Tim Conaway, editorial director for LFP Inc., the magazine’s parent company run by Larry Flynt. The cartoon has been known for its depiction of Chester as a lecherous character who lusts after young girls.

But Conaway said the magazine has changed Chester to make him into a more general parody of people whose sexual desires lead them into embarrassing acts.

Tinsley, who holds the title of cartoon and humor editor for LFP, is married and has three children, Conaway said.

Tinsley is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, Klamser said. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Ventura County Municipal Court, McGee said.