Drake Bell pleads guilty to criminal charges involving a minor
The child actor pleaded guilty to one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and one count of attempted endangering children
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two charges involving a minor at a court hearing in Ohio.
The child actor and singer, 34, appeared virtually over Zoom before Judge Timothy McCormick at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland.
Bell, wearing a dark suit and pink shirt and tie, pleaded guilty to one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and one count of attempted endangering children.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The child actor was informed by the judge that attempted endangering children, a felony of the fourth degree, carries a maximum sentence of anywhere between six to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Disseminating matter harmful to juveniles is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a sentence of up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
McCormick informed Bell that prison time is not mandatory but if he does go to prison he'd be subjected to a discretionary period of three years post-release control upon his release.
The case will continue at a hearing on July 12.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DRAKE BELL OF NICKELODEON'S 'DRAKE AND JOSH' CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ENDANGERING CHILDREN
Actor Drake Bell poses at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards (REUTERS/Fred Prouser)
Bell, whose born name is Jared Drake Bell, posted a $2,500 bond and was released from the Cuyahoga County Jail on June 3 after being arrested in Cleveland.
'NICKELODEON' STAR DRAKE BELL'S EX-GIRLFRIEND ACCUSES HIM OF ABUSE, ACTOR DENIES CLAIMS
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox 8 previously reported that Bell allegedly engaged in an inappropriate chat with a victim that "at times, was sexual in nature."
According to the outlet, prosecutors say the victim, 15, filed a report with a local police department in Canada in 2018 regarding an incident involving Bell that took place in Cleveland on Dec. 1, 2017. Police in Canada contacted authorities in Cleveland and an investigation ensued.
Bell reportedly tweeted about playing Cleveland's The Odeon Concert Club on Dec. 1 of that year but the post has since been deleted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}At the concert, Bell allegedly "violated his duty of care and, in doing so, created a risk of harm to the victim," prosecutors said.
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Jared Bell is known for his former role on Nickelodeon's ‘Drake and Josh.’ (Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Dept.)
Bell is also known as Drake Campana. "Drake and Josh" ran from 2004-2007 and saw him and his onscreen brother Josh Peck as teens trying to survive high school and learning to get along.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Since "Drake & Josh" ended in 2007, Bell has done voice acting and starred in various short films. He also voiced Timmy Turner in three television movies of the Nickelodeon cartoon "Fairly Odd Parents." Just days before he was taken to jail, Bell promoted live video chats on Cameo with him through his official Twitter account.
Last August, Bell spoke out after his ex-girlfriend Melissa Lingafelt accused him of verbal and physical abuse. Lingafelt, a singer and actress, posted a lengthy video on TikTok under her stage name Jimi Ono, detailing the alleged assault during their relationship from August 2006 to February 2009. Bell said he "never abused my ex-girlfriend or did so many of the other things Melissa falsely claimed on her TikTok video."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The "Drake & Josh" alum continued: "As our relationship ended — more than a decade ago — we, unfortunately, both called each other terrible names, as often happens when couples are breaking up. But that is it."
In 2015, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in California.