By Redaccion
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Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Terry Cole, M.D., a Ventura resident born on September 17, 1948, has pleaded guilty to one felony count of dissuading a witness and one misdemeanor count of sexual exploitation of a patient.
As part of the plea agreement, Cole will permanently lose his medical license. Given his age and lack of prior criminal history, it is expected that the felony charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor during sentencing.
“No professional is above the law, including physicians,” stated District Attorney Nasarenko. “This plea ensures that the defendant’s medical license is permanently revoked, protecting future patients.”
The case originated on September 26, 2022, when the Medical Board of California received a complaint alleging that Cole had engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient, which is prohibited under California law. After an investigation, the findings were forwarded to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, leading to Cole being charged on December 29, 2023, with sexual exploitation of a patient and dissuading a witness.
Cole entered his guilty plea during an information arraignment. Previously, after a three-day preliminary hearing in December, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Catherine Voelker had ruled there was sufficient evidence to proceed with all charges.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold, of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit, prosecuted the case.
“Sexual exploitation of patients is illegal and will not be tolerated,” said Wold. “Medical professionals are held to the highest ethical standards, and our office is committed to holding those who abuse their positions of trust accountable.”
Cole’s sentencing is scheduled for February 21, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.
