Former UCLA Gynecologist James Heaps Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse Felonies

A former gynecologist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges involving the sexual abuse of patients. James Heaps admitted to 13 felonies involving five victims and was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

A Complex Legal Journey

The guilty plea follows a turbulent legal process that spanned seven years. Heaps was originally indicted in 2021 on various charges, including sexual penetration of an unconscious person by fraudulent representation, sexual exploitation of a patient and sexual battery by fraud. These charges stemmed from the sexual assault of seven women between 2009, and 2018.

In 2023, Heaps was convicted of five counts of sexual battery and penetration involving two patients and received an 11-year prison sentence. Still, that conviction was overturned by an appeals court in February 2026. The court ruled that Heaps was denied a fair trial because the presiding judge failed to disclose a note from the jury’s foreman regarding concerns over a juror’s English proficiency.

Following the reversal, Heaps’ attorney, Leonard Levine, previously stated he believed Heaps would be “totally exonerated.” Rather than facing a second trial, Heaps ultimately entered a guilty plea to 13 felonies.

Justice for Survivors

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman characterized the plea as a significant milestone in a case where Heaps repeatedly attempted to delay proceedings and discredit the survivors who testified against him.

“While no sentence can undo the incredible harm that James Heaps engaged in … hopefully these admissions of guilt and the sentence he received today are a small measure of justice for all that the survivors had to endure,” Hochman stated.

Key Case Details

• Defendant: James Heaps, former UCLA gynecologist.
• Sentence: 11 years in prison.
• Convictions: 13 felonies involving five victims.
• Original Indictment: 2021, involving assaults of seven women between 2009 and 2018.
• Legal Turning Point: A February 2026 appeals court reversal based on juror proficiency issues led to the recent plea deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was James Heaps’ original conviction overturned?

The appeals court overturned the 2023 conviction because the judge did not share a note from the jury foreman with Heaps’ attorneys. The note expressed concerns regarding the English language proficiency of one of the jurors, which the court determined denied Heaps a fair trial.

What specific charges was Heaps indicted for?

Heaps was indicted on multiple counts of sexual battery by fraud, sexual exploitation of a patient, and sexual penetration of an unconscious person by fraudulent representation. He eventually pleaded guilty to 13 felonies related to these abuses.

Summary and Outlook

The resolution of this case marks the complete of a lengthy legal battle involving one of UCLA’s renowned campus gynecologists. By pleading guilty to 13 felonies and receiving an 11-year sentence, Heaps has finally faced legal accountability for the abuse of his patients. This outcome provides a definitive conclusion for the survivors and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office after years of litigation.