Drake Bell receives probation on child endangerment charge

CLEVELAND (AP) - Drake Bell, the former star of the popular Nickelodeon show 'œDrake & Josh,'ť was sentenced in Cleveland on Monday to two years' probation on child endangerment charges relating to a girl who met him online and accused him of sexual contact after she attended his concert when she was 15.

Jared 'œDrake'ť Bell, 35, of West Hollywood, California, pleaded guilty last month via Zoom to felony attempted child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Cuyahoga County Judge Timothy McCormick is allowing Bell to serve probation and 200 hours of community service in California.

Bell, via Zoom, spoke briefly before sentencing.

'œI accept this plea because my conduct was wrong,'ť Bell said. 'œI'm sorry the victim was harmed. It was not my intention.'ť

The victim, who is 19, spoke at length about the damage Bell has done to her life, saying he began grooming her when she was 12. She said she initially felt loved and protected by him during online chats and that his messages became 'œblatantly sexual'ť after she turned 15. She said his remarks made her feel uncomfortable, but she felt trapped because she 'œidolized'ť Bell.

'œI was definitely one of his biggest fans,'ť said the woman, who allowed her face to appear on Zoom. 'œI would have done anything for him."

The Associated Press does not identify people who say they suffered sexual abuse unless they choose to come forward publicly.

The woman said she and Bell exchanged explicit photos online and that he engaged in sexual conduct with her on several occasions, including at the concert venue in Cleveland and at a hotel. She also called Bell a 'œpedophile'ť and a 'œcoward.'ť

Bell's attorney, Ian Friedman, disputed those claims on Monday. He said there were no explicit photos or sexual contact between Bell and the victim and the inappropriate conduct that did occur were reflected in the charges Bell pleaded to last month. Friedman did not detail the inappropriate conduct Bell was acknowledging.

Friedman said the victim attended nine of Bell's concerts after the one in Cleveland. The woman responded by holding up three fingers.

'œThere is already a greater penalty paid by Mr. Bell that others would not face because of his position,'ť Friedman said.

Authorities have said the victim contacted Toronto police in October 2018. Toronto authorities then forwarded its findings to Cleveland police, prompting an investigation.

The attempted endangering children charge relates to the concert where Bell 'œviolated his duty of care'ť and created a risk of harm to the victim, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Tyler Sinclair said previously.

Bell and the girl had 'œdeveloped a relationship'ť online several years prior to the concert, Sinclair said. The disseminating harmful material charge concerns Bell having sent the girl 'œinappropriate social media messages,'ť Sinclair said.

McCormick, before delivering Bell's sentence, said he heard 'œa lot of serious and disturbing allegations'ť during Monday's hearing, but added that he 'œcan't lose focus on what was pled to.'ť

'œThe fact of the matter is your position and celebrity status let you nurture this relationship,'ť McCormick said. 'œYou were able to gain access to this child.'ť

Bell, also a singer, began acting as a child, but was catapulted to stardom as a teen with Nickelodeon's 'œThe Amanda Show'ť and later 'œDrake & Josh,'ť which debuted on the channel in January 2004. The final episode aired in September 2007. Bell and co-star Josh Peck also starred in two 'œDrake & Josh'ť movies.

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This story has been corrected to show Bell's age is 35, not 34.