Jesse Helt accepting the award for Video of the Year for Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball. Photo: Mario Anzuoni/ReutersThe young homeless man who accompanied Miley Cyrus to the MTV Video Music Awards has a warrant out for his arrest in Oregon.
Jesse Helt, 22, was arrested on charges of criminal mischief, criminal trespass and burglary in 2010. According to court records, he broke into the apartment of a man who had been selling what Helt believed to be bad marijuana.
Helt, who was 18 at the time, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and criminal trespass, both misdemeanours, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and probation. The arrest warrant was issued in November 2011 after he violated probation.
Helt moved to Los Angeles and lived on the streets while trying to find work as a model.
He gained worldwide attention on Sunday when Cyrus let him accept her award for video of the year. Helt, who met Cyrus through a Hollywood homeless centre, used the platform to call attention to the issue of youth homelessness.
Polk County director of community corrections Martin Silbernagel said officials are trying to locate Helt and arrest him. He said Helt repeatedly failed to meet with his probation officer.
As Helt’s moment in the sun took a dark twist, Cyrus said via Twitter: “People who are homeless have lived very hard lives. Jesse included.” She then asked: “Does looking down upon the homeless help people excuse their inaction?”