Update 07/12/2021 3:22pm:

Drake Bell, from Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh, avoided prison time Monday when an Ohio judge gave the actor two years of probation after Bell pleaded guilty to attempted endangering children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles last month.

The actor accepted his punishment and apologized to the alleged victim and those he let down, explaining he never intended to cause any harm. The woman at the center of his charges gave a victim impact statement via Zoom and claimed she began exchanging messages with Bell in 2017 when she was 15. She said after their messages became sexually explicit, he invited her backstage at one of his shows where she performed oral sex on him. Bell reportedly shook his head as the alleged victim gave her statement.

Bell will also have to perform 200 hours of community service. He faces up to one year in prison if he violates his probation.

Source: TMZ

Update 06/23/2021 2:54pm:

Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell, known for his starring role on the hit TV show Drake and Josh, pled guilty to charges of attempted endangering children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles during a virtual court hearing on Wednesday (June 23). 

The judge stated during the hearing, "My understanding is there's been a plea agreement reached where the defendant will plead guilty to count one attempted endangering children, a felony in the fourth degree [and] plead guilty to count two: disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a misdemeanor the first degree." 

Later in the hearing, the judge informed Bell that attempted endangering children carries a sentence of anywhere from six to 18 months in prison in monthly increments and/or a fine of up to $5,000, though prison time is not mandatory. He added that the second charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles carries up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Bell could also be subject to three years of probation after his release from prison. 

Drake Bell is set to be sentenced on July 12, and his lawyer, Ian Friedman, revealed that "All questions about this case will be answered at sentencing, including why Mr. Bell chose to enter his plea."

Source: People 

 

Original 06/04/2021 4:50pm:

Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell, known for his starring role on the hit TV show Drake and Josh, was arrested in Cuyahoga County, Ohio recently and charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and attempted endangering children. Bell appeared in court on June 3, and he entered a not guilty plea and posted a $2,500 bond ordering him to have no contact with his alleged victim.

The charges stem from an incident on December 1, 2017, where Bell allegedly engaged in an inappropriate chat with an underaged victim that, at times, was sexual in nature. According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the then-15-year-old victim filed a report with her local police department in Canada in October 2018 over the incident, which happened in Cleveland, Ohio. 

An investigation was launched in Cleveland, which revealed that the victim established a relationship with Bell years prior, and months leading up to the concert, Bell allegedly sent the victim inappropriate social media messages. He has also been charged with attempted endangering children, a 4th degree felony, and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a 1st degree misdemeanor.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 23 via Zoom, and Bell is expected to enter a plea of no contest or guilty to the bill of information.

More details to come. 

Source: FOX8