Man Charged With Statutory Rape Marries Alleged Victim

NEWPORT BEACH (AP) — A Southern California magazine photographer charged with statutory rape has married the alleged victim.

The Orange County Register reports county records show Jason James Ellis married the woman in Laguna Hills on Feb. 28 -- three months after she turned 18.

Ellis is accused of having sex with her for at least eight months when she was 14 and 15 years old.

Ellis' then-fiancee was initially charged with acting as an accomplice, but charges were later dropped.

Ellis faces up to seven years in state prison if convicted of six felonies, including lewd acts on a child and unlawful sexual intercourse.

He is due in court for a pre-trial hearing on May 20.

The Register says Ellis' work has appeared on the covers of fashion and fitness magazines.

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