Drake Bell, widely recognized for his role in the popular Nickelodeon series “Drake and Josh”, has entered a guilty plea regarding serious allegations involving a 15-year-old girl. The incidents in question took place in 2017, and Bell was arrested earlier this month in Cleveland, Ohio.
As reported by local NBC affiliate KXAN, the 34-year-old actor faced charges of attempted child endangerment, classified as a fourth-degree felony, and disseminating harmful materials to minors, a first-degree misdemeanor. Initially pleading not guilty, Bell later appeared in court via Zoom on June 23, 2021, where he changed his plea to guilty for both charges.
ABC News 5 Cleveland shared that the victim, now 15, filed a report with her local Canadian police department in October 2018 regarding an incident with Bell that occurred at a Cleveland nightclub. The young girl alleged that Bell had maintained a social media relationship with her that included inappropriate messages over several years. After attending his concert in December 2017, the details of what transpired remain unclear. However, the prosecution indicated that Bell “violated his duty of care” and created a risk of harm to the victim.
Bell’s attorney, Ian Friedman, stated to People that “all questions regarding this case will be addressed at sentencing, including the reasons behind Mr. Bell’s plea.” Sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2021. The judge informed Bell that the attempted endangerment charge could result in a prison sentence ranging from six to 18 months and/or fines up to $5,000, while the second charge could lead to six months in jail and/or fines of $1,000.
This arrest follows allegations made by Bell’s former girlfriend, Melissa Lingafelt, who accused him of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship in 2006. Although she did not pursue legal action, she expressed concerns about his potential victims. In a surprising turn, Bell changed his name to Drake Campana, relocated to Mexico, and released a Spanish-language album, prompting speculation about his career shift in light of the abuse allegations against him.
This troubling situation serves as a grim reminder of how easily predators can connect with vulnerable youth through social media platforms.
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Summary:
Drake Bell, known for his role in “Drake and Josh”, has pled guilty to charges of attempted child endangerment and disseminating harmful materials to minors stemming from a 2017 incident involving a 15-year-old girl. His sentencing is set for July 12, 2021, and he faces potential prison time and fines. This case highlights the risks associated with social media interactions between adults and minors.