BURBANK, Calif. (KNX) - A former UCLA gynecologist who was convicted of sexually abusing two former patients has been denied a request for release pending appeal.
Dr. James Heaps is facing 11 years in prison after being convicted on three counts of sexual battery by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person last October. Heaps sought to be released on bail pending his appeal of the jury’s verdict.
Several factors were considered in the bail hearing, including whether Heaps is a flight risk and whether he poses a danger to the community.
Heaps’ attorney, Alan Yockelson, pointed out that since the former doctor has surrendered his medical license, he’s no longer able to use his medical practice to gain access to victims. He also argued that Heaps isn’t a flight risk because of his ties to the community in California.
But Deputy D.A. Rosa Zavala countered that the 66-year-old has an incentive to flee because his 11-year sentence could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. Heaps is also still facing a potential retrial on an additional nine counts that resulted in a hung jury, which could add up to 12 years and 4 months to his sentence.
“The second he walks out this door, he can pack up his bags. He has the money, clearly … He was the highest-paid doctor until he was caught abusing women,” Zavala said.
Superior Court Judge Michael Carter ultimately decided that Heaps wasn’t likely to commit more assaults if released, but he did find the former doctor to be a flight risk.
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