Man Gets Jail, Probation for Videotaping Movie at Theater
A Chatsworth man has become the first person convicted under a new state law against videotaping movies in theaters.
Ruben Centeno Moreno, 34, pleaded guilty Monday to camcording “The Alamo” at the Winnetka 21 Theaters -- part of the Pacific Theatres chain -- in Chatsworth on April 12.
Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Gerald T. Richardson ordered Moreno to spend 42 days in County Jail, placed him on probation for 36 months, confiscated his Sony camcorder and ordered him to stay away from his neighborhood multiplex.
The law, which took effect Jan. 1, provides a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
According to Deputy Los Angeles City Atty. Christopher Garcia, a projectionist at the theater used night-vision goggles to spot Moreno as he was videotaping the movie.
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