On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 66-year-old former UCLA gynecologist James Heaps was sentenced to 11 years in jail for sexual abuse of his patients. He did not address the court or reporters following its reading. Several of his victims did express their gratitude and relief. Once released from prison, Heaps will be required to register as a sex offender.
Heaps was convicted on October 20, 2023, of three counts of sexual battery by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of two patients. He was acquitted of seven other counts. He has remained in custody since that day.
Heaps’ fall from grace was a long one. At one time, he earned one of UCLA Health’s biggest salaries. He was arrested in 2019 based on accusations from several patients who alleged he touched them inappropriately, used racy language, and conducted improper and unnecessary exams.
It turned out that this was not the first time Heaps had gotten complaints. They had just been ignored — until 2017, when a formal investigation was begun by UCLA’s Title IX office.
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During this investigation, Heaps was allowed to continue practicing medicine. During the course of his career, he saw more than 6,000 patients. This ended in June 2018, when UCLA did not renew his contract. The university turned the findings of its investigation over to the police.
In 2019, Heaps was charged with 21 felonies relating to sexual assaults of seven women occurring from 2009 to 2018. While the jury found him guilty of five charges, he was found not guilty of seven others. The jury deadlocked on the remaining nine.
Heaps’ victims would not let him get off so easily. They rallied together and sued UCLA for its negligence in failing to protect them and won. UCLA had to pay almost $700 million to over 300 victims.
Many of Heaps’ victims spoke out after his sentence was read.
“Today we finally have a reason to smile. I hope that the settlement by UCLA and today’s sentencing will encourage any victims of sexual assault to come forward,” Ellen Carter, one of the plaintiffs in the case, said. “Now the healing can begin.”
Several written victim statements detailed the lasting impact of Heaps’ abuse. What Heaps did to these women will live with them forever.
“I’m still living with a lot of anxiety. I’ve gone to some very dark places in my thoughts,” Jane T. vulnerably revealed to the court.
“[Heaps] has made the place where my babies were born a traumatizing trigger,” Natalie B. bravely wrote.
Heaps still maintains his innocence. His defense attorney, Leonard Levine, addressed reporters after the sentencing and vowed to appeal. “[Heaps] has adamantly denied any of the criminal offenses,” he stated.
