Connecticut drops charges against nude model

The state of Connecticut has declined to press charges against a New York man who was summoned to court for posing nude on a public parking garage. As reported in a May 27 post on Nakedism, 36-year Charles Kearse was approached by police after nearby residents saw him posing nude on a Bridgeport parking garage.

Kearse, who also goes by the name Ahkmel Pharod, was told to appear in court, where he talked to Assistant State's Attorney Craig Nowak.

"I spoke to Mr. Kearse at length," said Nowak in a story reported by CTPost.com. "He showed me his modeling portfolio and at the end of our conversation I determined that his actions, while being an error in judgment, did not rise to the level of criminal activity." (Samples from Kearse's portfolio appear with this story, used with permission.)

As a result, the state did not proceed with the pending charge of second-degree breach of peace.

For his part, Kearse confirmed the story in a comment written to Nakedism, explaining that he had been contacted by the photographer, who paid his travel expenses. "I left court just as fast as I arrived," he noted, adding that the prosecutor "smiled and said have a good weekend."

Kearse also gave Nakedism a copy of an email that purports to show the rooftop nudes was the idea of the photographer, Israel Guibbory. But in news reports, Guibbory claimed to be surprised when Kearse disrobed on the roof.

"I am going to file a Defamation of Character lawsuit against the photographer," Kearse told Nakedism.