A Los Angeles doctor, James Heaps, has been sentenced again to 11 years in prison for sexual and other offences after a retrial, reports Beckers Hospital Review.
The court had determined Heaps was denied a fair trial because the judge did not share a note with the defence counsel that indicated one juror lacked sufficient knowledge of English. In February, an appeals court ordered that Heaps receive a retrial.
Last week, the LA District Attorney’s Office announced that Heaps had pleaded guilty to six felony counts “of sexual penetration of an unconscious person, five felony counts of sexual battery by fraud, and two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a patient”.
He was sentenced to prison time and to register as a sex offender for life.
In a statement, the DA said: “Today marks the second time we’re holding James Heaps responsible for the unconscionable crimes he committed while being entrusted with the safety of his patients…
“This sentence ensures he will finally be held accountable for the harm he inflicted under the guise of care.”
In October 2022, Heaps, a former OB-GYN at the University of California-Los Angeles, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of five counts of sexual assault, between 2009 and 2018.
The university was criticised for not adequately warning the public about allegations against him.
In May 2022, UCLA settled with 312 victims alleging abuse by Heaps – for $374.4m.
Beckers Hospital Review article – Former UCLA OB-GYN resentenced to 11 years (Open access)
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