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A photographer famed for shooting fitness magazine covers has married an aspiring model he is accused of statutorily raping when she was just 15.
Jason Ellis, 36, faces six felony counts of sexual assault for having an unlawful relationship with the alleged victim, who is now 18 and refuses to cooperate with the criminal investigation.
His former fiancee, Michelle Hecker, was originally accused of sexually assaulting the girl too, but Orange County prosecutors dropped the charges last month because of insufficient evidence.
Ellis, who calls himself the 'King of Covers', is due to stand trial on charges including sexual penetration by a foreign object, unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation on June 6.
The photographer boasts he has shot more than 100 fitness magazine covers and features a picture of himself on a throne on his website.

He married his alleged victim - who has not been named - on February 28, but the Orange County deputy district attorney told the Daily Pilot the wedding will not stop the trial going ahead.
Drew Haughton said: 'I think whether they're married or not, he committed a crime because we have evidence to believe he had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female.'
He told the newspaper it is rare to see a victim marrying someone accused of assaulting them.
Accused: Jason Ellis, left, faces trial for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl he was introduced to by his former fiancee Michelle Hecker, right

He said: 'I typically saw weddings more in the context where there was a pregnancy involved and they wanted to keep the family together. I don't think I've ever seen one with this large an age difference."
Hecker allegedly introduced her former fiancee to the girl in 2007 - when she was just 14 - under the pretence she would become a model.
Prosecutors say Hecker told the girl's parents she was taking her on horseriding lessons, even getting her to dress up in riding clothes.
Muscled look: Photographer Jason Ellis says he has shot more than 100 covers for fitness magazines including Men's Workout

Successful: Jason Ellis photographs models for a fitness magazine cover
But in fact, the district attorney claims, she was driving her to meet Ellis for dinner and movie dates, where they were allegedly seen kissing in public.

According to the district attorney her parents eventually became suspicious of the amount of time she was spending with Hecker, and hired a private investigator to track her.
The investigator allegedly collected evidence - including DNA - of a sexual relationship and presented it to police in 2008.

Initially Hecker was charged with the same counts as her former fiance, but they were dropped when the couple married.
Facing trial: The photographer, pictured on a chat show, has married his alleged victim, who is now 18
A spokesman for the district attorney told AOL: 'We recently dismissed the charges against Hecker because the victim is now refusing to cooperate, and we are unable to prove a case against Hecker beyond a reasonable doubt without Jane Doe's testimony.
Ellis has taken pictures of models and celebrities as part of his photography career, shooting covers for magazines including Exercise and Health, Men's Workout and Olympian News.

On his website he boasts: 'Jason can get you published in a magazine or EVEN ON THE COVER if you have what it takes. You could be the next cover model! Book your shoot today.'