Porn star Mark Dalton back in jail, misses Houston Pride appearance

SAY CHEESE: Dalton in his most recent police photo, which some bloggers have labeled the “hottest mug shot ever.”

Mark Dalton, the iconic, muscle-bound adult video star and model, has landed back in jail.

Dalton was confined in the Denton County jail on June 13 following a domestic violence incident on May 31. He is being held without bail.

The North Texas native was scheduled to appear on June 23 at Houston's gay Pride parade with fellow Texas-bred porn actor Zeb Atlas, but was arrested and confined to a Denton detention facility about a week before the event.

"He missed the booking in Houston for the parade and the show at South Beach. We were sorry he missed the engagements," said David Forest, Dalton's manager and agent. Atlas appeared alone at the event, Forest said.

Dalton, whose real name is Jeremy James Sons, has had legal run-ins dating back to at least 2001. His current incarceration ultimately stems from a 2004 drug possession conviction that resulted in Dalton being sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in 2005 after serving about 13 months, but put on probation for the next three-plus years, according to Forest.

"You cannot have any altercation with the law" while on parole, said Forest, who himself has a criminal record that includes a probationary release. "Sometimes even a speeding ticket can raise eyebrows."

The May incident certainly did that. According to Forest and court records, Dalton was arrested in Denton on May 31, posted bail on June 1 and was released. That probably should not have happened, Forest said.

"How did he bail out while on parole? We don't know. He probably shouldn't have been allowed to bail out. His prison sentence was like five years and he was going to be on parole for some time," he said.

Dalton's arrest and release came to the attention of his parole officer several days later, and on June 11 a warrant for his arrest was issued. On June 13, Dalton was picked up and eventually taken the county jail on a "no bail" hold.

He remained in jail for the parole violation for a week before any charges were filed related to the most recent incident. On June 21, he was formally charged with two misdemeanors: Assault causing bodily injury/family violence and interference with an emergency call.
An arraignment hearing on those charges is s
cheduled for July 16, but no matter what happens at that hearing, Dalton should remain in jail.

"He will not be let out or sent back to prison yet," Forest said. "The parole board will not address [the parole violation] until [the current charges] have been adjudicated."

Violation of parole can result in the offender being returned to prison to complete the original sentence, or leniency can be shown and the parolee released. The latter is unlikely to happen if Dalton is convicted of the new charges.

Dalton, who has been married to Heidi Martin since at least 2004, has never done "hardcore" gay pornography. His latest video, "Mark Meets Zeb: The Texas Two Step," has already been a huge hit for its online distributor, TLA Releasing, according to Forest. It will hit stores nationwide in early August. Other than the Houston Pride event, Dalton had no other movies or personal appearance scheduled prior to his arrest.

"It's been bumpy but he's been a delightful guy," said Forest, who has represented Dalton for six years. "We're sorry this has happened."

Dalton's attorney and parents were contacted for comment but did not return phone calls prior to press time.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, June 29, 2007.