The director of the summer hit “SUPER 8” JJ ABRAMS shocked after learning a casting assistant on the kid-centric sci-fi flick is a convicted sex offender.
Police records detail how Jason James Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy in Washington State a mere15 years ago.
Abrams who helmed the film featuring 9-10 years old discovering an ET menace was stunned to learn Murphy, 35, was the same person his casting directors hired as an assistant to the kids on the set.
"It's shocking and it's devastating, not just as a filmmaker but as a father and someone who is entrusted to make sure that everyone I work with, especially children, are safe,” Abrams told the LA Times. "To think that someone like this was among us is unthinkable."
Murphy had been using the name Jason James has been working in Hollywood in recent years. He also worked with young stars on the sets of “Bad News Bears”, “The School of Rock”, “Cheaper by the Dozen 2” and the upcoming “The Three Stooges”.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Murphy served five years in prison and underwent counseling as a sex offender.
In 2005 he moved to California and registered as a sex offender, but then worked disguised as Jason James – hiding the truth about his past.
While there are no known complaints that Murphy acted inappropriately with any minor in his casting business, it appears he has broken a number of state laws. As a convicted sex offender, he must notify the authorities to any name changes, nicknames or pseudonyms. He also cannot work directly with children.
"(We) had absolutely no knowledge of his real name, nor of his status. He applied for the job under an alias," Abrams said.
