Actor Arrested on Suspicion of Abusing Teen

Actor Jeffrey Jones, whose roles have included the principal in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” was arrested Thursday on suspicion of abusing a teenage boy, Los Angeles police said.

He was freed on $20,000 bail and scheduled for arraignment Thursday on charges of using a minor in a sexually oriented film, a felony, and possessing child pornography, a misdemeanor, said district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

An investigation began last November when police in Hollywood received a complaint from a minor alleging “criminal acts of a sexual nature,” said LAPD spokesman Don Cox. Police searched Jones’ home in Los Angeles and “seized numerous items of evidence,” Cox said. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant Wednesday, and Jones, 56, surrendered on Thursday.

Lt. Daniel Mulrenin of the LAPD’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit said the incident took place last year in the Hollywood area.

Jones’ attorney, Jeff Brodey, said his client has been cooperating with police and prosecutors since the investigation began.

“This is all about photos. There’s not allegations of any touching or any improper acts with a minor,” Brodey said. “This will be resolved very quickly so he can get on with his life and get back to work.”

Brodey said Jones “is a very decent guy, and his life shouldn’t be ruined.”

Law enforcement sources said that, as part of the same investigation, search warrants were served last year at the Hollywood Hills home of actor Paul Reubens and that police seized a large erotic art collection and personal computers.

An attorney for Reubens said none of the items seized was anything more than erotic art. The attorney was present at the time of the search.

Reubens, a friend of Jones, is best known for his role as “Pee-wee Herman.”

Jones has more than 50 television and movie credits, including the role of the music-loving Emperor Joseph II in “Amadeus,” the mentalist Criswell in “Ed Wood” and the father in “Beetlejuice.”