Overview
- James Heaps, the former UCLA gynecologist, pleaded guilty Tuesday to 13 felonies involving five patients and was sentenced to 11 years in state prison.
- The plea follows a February appellate reversal that found the trial judge failed to tell lawyers about a juror note raising concerns over a juror’s English proficiency.
- The counts include sexual penetration of an unconscious person and sexual battery, and Heaps must register as a sex offender for life.
- With credit for time served, prosecutors said he could be eligible for parole in 2028, and he will continue serving his sentence at the state facility in Soledad.
- UCLA and Heaps faced more than 500 lawsuits that UCLA settled for roughly $700 million over claims the university ignored warnings about abuse during his nearly 35-year career.