Film Promoter Pleads No Contest in Sex Case

Dale Normand, accused by two teenage girls of sexual misconduct after promising them movie roles, pleaded no contest Wednesday to one misdemeanor count of having unlawful sex with a minor.

Normand, 35, entered the plea before Superior Court Judge Andrew Wagner, who set an Oct. 4 sentencing date, said Normand’s attorney, Robert Grimes.

Normand, who was facing multiple criminal counts, agreed to a plea bargain on a single charge and could receive up to one year in County Jail and a $1,000 fine. The remaining counts were dismissed, and he remains free on bond.

The criminal charges against Normand were brought by a Michigan teen-ager who was 17 when he invited her to San Diego last year to appear in a movie. The girl said Normand, who had an office in Mission Valley, promised her modeling jobs in addition to the movie role. She told local authorities that Normand had sex with her.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregg McClain said the charge of unlawful sex was brought against Normand because the young woman was a minor at the time.

Last August, an 18-year-old San Carlos woman obtained a restraining order against Normand, and in court documents alleged that “he used lies and deception to have sex with me.” However, no charges were brought against him in this case.

Both teen-agers said they were hired by Normand to appear in a movie and eventually moved in with him.

San Diego vice officers began investigating Normand in April, 1988, when they received several complaints about Normand from parents and young women. Lt. Dan Johnson, head of the department’s vice unit, said the complaints arose during a talent search conducted by Normand and involved girls as young as 16.

In a 1988 interview, Normand said he was making a spy thriller that would feature a group of young, “beautiful female Rambos” who were “articulate and sophisticated.” During the interview he acknowledged that he had no previous movie-making experience.