Bruce Hensel: Why Was Bruce Hensel Sentenced? What Happened?

In response to allegations that he asked a 9-year-old girl to give him inappropriate sexual images, a former medical correspondent for NBC4 entered a no contest plea.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Dr. Bruce Hensel, 74, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of communicating with a juvenile with the intent to conduct a crime.

He was given a two-year probationary period and ordered to file as a sex offender.

“I apologize profusely for what transpired. I’ve tried my best to comprehend this strange phenomenon, “According to The L.A. Times, he said in the courthouse. Hensel then gave the child’s father an embrace and asked him to pardon the doctor.

The father had told him earlier in the hearing, “Dr. Bruce, you crossed the line and violated the vow of your profession, which is to cause no harm.” His identity is kept private to protect his daughter, The L.A. Times reported.

An inquiry for comment from PEOPLE was not quickly answered by Hensel’s lawyer.

Hensel and the kid were introduced by the victim’s mother. According to The L.A. Times, the former doctor and the lady had been discussing financing a film in which the 9-year-old would be a supporting character.

Text messages exchanged between Hensel and the victim between March and August 2019 were forwarded to the state’s medical commission months before Hensel entered a plea.

They demonstrated that Hensel requested the child send him pictures that he deemed “sexy and private,” the newspaper said.

According to the outlet, records showed that he wrote in one email,

“I have always been good special friends and you feel safe with me so I will protect you and get you something. They could maybe make you a star if you are willing to take some risks.”

In November 2019, the Los Angeles Police Department detained Hensel.

He was detained on suspicion of engaging in sexual contact with a juvenile, a crime, a Los Angeles Police Department public information officer told PEOPLE at the time.

He was released on bond later that evening after paying $5,000 bail.

The L.A. Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force detectives had earlier disclosed to NBC4 that they had obtained a search warrant for Hensel’s Pacific Palisades home on October 16, 2021.

The utmost punishment for Hensel was 18 months in state prison.

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He started working for NBC4 in 1987 and served as the station’s top health, medical, and science editor as well as an on-air correspondent.

According to his LinkedIn page, Hensel has won two Golden Mike Awards in addition to 11 Emmy Awards for producing, writing, and hosting.