Crime & Safety

Ex-Food Network Chef Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison

Juan-Carlos Cruz, former host of "Calorie Commando" and "Weighing In," solicited homeless men on the Third Street Promenade to kill his wife.

Juan-Carlos Cruz, the ex-Food Network chef who tried to involve two homeless men on the  in a kiling-for-hire scheme, was sentenced to nine years in prison Monday morning, according to wire reports. 

Cruz, 48, had faced an attempted-murder charge but it was dismissed due to a plea deal. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge H. Chester Horn presided over the proceedings.

On Oct. 26, Cruz pleaded no contest to charges of soliciting the two men to kill his wife. He was arrested by Santa Monica police on May 13 after the men contacted the authorities. Cruz had established a payment, time and place for the death to happen.

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Cruz hosted the Food Network shows Calorie Commando and Weighing In.

This story was compiled with information from City News Service.

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[This story was originally published on Dec. 13 at 8:10 a.m.]


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