OJAI : Stacy to Be Sentenced in Child Molestation

Television actor and Ojai resident James Stacy waived his right to an extradition hearing in a Honolulu courtroom Monday and agreed to return to Ventura County to face sentencing for felony child molestation.

Stacy, whose real name is Maurice Elias, pleaded no contest to molesting a friend’s 11-year-old daughter. He was also convicted of misdemeanor prowling and faced sentencing on both charges last week.

Stacy, 59, skipped bail and missed his sentencing Thursday, prompting a judge to issue an arrest warrant that was transmitted nationwide. Stacy was arrested in a Honolulu hospital Friday.

He apparently had tried to commit suicide nine days earlier by jumping off a cliff. He suffered only cuts and bruises from his 45-foot fall from the Pali Lookout, a popular tourist spot.

Ventura County prosecutors said a county official will be sent to retrieve Stacy as soon as possible. The actor forfeited his $50,000 bail by fleeing.

“When he gets back, he is not getting out on bail,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona said.

Stacy faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.

Stacy was best known for his starring role in the 1960s television western “Lancer.” He also appeared on episodes of “Cagney and Lacey” and several made-for-television movies.

Stacy was once married to the actress Connie Stevens.