So You Think You Can Dance Star Can't Escape Child-Molestation Charges

Judge determines there's enough evidence for choreographer Shane Sparks to stand trial

By Josh Grossberg Nov 02, 2010 5:36 PMTags
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Shane Sparks is facing some seriously sick charges.

The award-winning choreographer of So You Think You Can Dance and a judge of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew has been ordered to stand trial on eight counts of felony child molestation.

No waltzing away from this, twinkle toes...

Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Jessica Silvers determined there was sufficient evidence that Sparks (born Melvin Shane Sparks) engaged in sexual relations with an underage girl and ordered Sparks held over for trial.

The 41-year-old hoofer, who's out on bail, faces six counts of lewd act on a child and two counts of oral copulation of a person under 16, according to Los Angeles district attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison.

His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 15.

Sparks was busted last December at his North Hollywood home after a complaint was filed by the alleged victim, whose name was withheld because she was 15 at the time the alleged sex crimes occurred between 1995 and 1997. He has since pleaded not guilty.

The dance instructor's attorney, Steve Meister, was unavailable for comment, but previously vowed to fight what he described as "bogus accusations."

Sparks isn't the only SYTYCD choreographer facing a sex rap. Alex Da Silva, who specialized in the show's salsa, mambo and Argentine tango routines, has pleaded innocent to charges he raped four different women during private lessons over a seven-year period.

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