Metuchen's David Copperfield Accused Of Sexual Assault: Report

METUCHEN, NJ — Metuchen native David Copperfield has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old model in 1988, The Wrap reported. He has denied these claims.

Brittney Lewis, now in her late 40s, says she met the famed magician at a modeling contest in Japan. Copperfield, who was 32 in 1988, allegedly invited Lewis to a show of his in California. Lewis told the Wrap that after the show Copperfield drugged her drink and sexually assaulted her in her hotel room.

Copperfield said in a Twitter post that he supported the #MeToo movement, but asked that people not "rush to judgement." He was previously investigated by the FBI for a separate sexual assault allegation; in that case, the charges and a civil case were dropped and the accuser was later charged with making false assault allegations against another man.

"So while I weather another storm, I want the [#MeToo] movement to continue to flourish," Copperfield wrote (you can read his full statement below).

Lewis reported the alleged assault to the FBI in 2007, the Wrap reported. Her grandmother and best friend from high school reportedly corroborated her account, and she says she is not seeking money. Copperfield has not been charged with a crime, and denies the allegations against him.

Read The Wrap's full story here.

Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Ride of Fame