Ex-tv chef Juan-Carlos Cruz was sentenced to nine years in prison on a charge of soliciting homeless men to kill his wife, The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors had dropped a charge of attempted murder after he pleaded no contest in October.
Former TV Chef pleads no contest to plot to kill wife
The former Food Network host was arrested by Santa Monica, Calif., police after two homeless men told them that Cruz wanted to hire them to kill his wife, Jennifer Campbell.
The 48-year-old hosted Calorie Commando from 2004 to 2006.
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Cruz, who is expected to serve ...
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Prosecutors had dropped a charge of attempted murder after he pleaded no contest in October.
Former TV Chef pleads no contest to plot to kill wife
The former Food Network host was arrested by Santa Monica, Calif., police after two homeless men told them that Cruz wanted to hire them to kill his wife, Jennifer Campbell.
The 48-year-old hosted Calorie Commando from 2004 to 2006.
Check out today's poll
Cruz, who is expected to serve ...
Read More >...
- 12/13/2010
- by Gina DiNunno
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Former Food Network chef Juan-Carlos Cruz was sentenced Monday to nine years in state prison for engaging in a plot to kill his wife. Cruz had pleaded no contest in October to soliciting two homeless men to murder his high-school sweetheart, Jennifer Campbell, an attorney. The plot was thwarted by police, and Campbell wasn't hurt. Cruz, 48, was ordered to serve half his prison term before he is eligible for parole, said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Chester Horn. He also must pay $1,870 in restitution. Related: Former Food Network Chef Arrested in Murder-for-Hire PlotThe former Hotel Bel-Air pastry chef was arrested...
- 12/13/2010
- by Sara Hammel
- PEOPLE.com
Chef Cruz Sentenced To Nine Years In Prison
U.S. TV chef Juan-carlos Cruz has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading no contest to a charge of solicitation of murder.
The presenter, famed as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was arrested in California in May on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder after he was caught out during a reported undercover operation.
According to TMZ.com, Cruz's wife Jennifer Campbell wanted to die because she could not have kids but refused to take her own life due to religious beliefs.
The TV star allegedly plotted to hire three homeless men to kill his wife as an act of mercy and had planned to then take his own life.
Cruz initially pleaded not guilty, but he struck a deal with prosecutors in October allowing him to plead no contest.
He was handed the nine-year sentence by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Monday.
One count of attempted murder was dropped as part of the plea settlement, according to prosecutors.
The presenter, famed as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was arrested in California in May on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder after he was caught out during a reported undercover operation.
According to TMZ.com, Cruz's wife Jennifer Campbell wanted to die because she could not have kids but refused to take her own life due to religious beliefs.
The TV star allegedly plotted to hire three homeless men to kill his wife as an act of mercy and had planned to then take his own life.
Cruz initially pleaded not guilty, but he struck a deal with prosecutors in October allowing him to plead no contest.
He was handed the nine-year sentence by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Monday.
One count of attempted murder was dropped as part of the plea settlement, according to prosecutors.
- 12/13/2010
- WENN
Former Food Network chef Juan-Carlos Cruz is cooked. The celebrated pastry chef and ex-host of Calorie Commando will now be counting the fat in his commissary snacks after getting sentenced today to nine years in a California state prison for soliciting two homeless men to kill his wife. The 48-year-old had pleaded no contest to the charges in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 26. He was arrested in May for allegedly approaching two homeless people with a murder-for-hire scheme targeting wife Jennifer Campbell. He offered to pay them $1,000, but instead of doing the hit, the men went to the police. According to reports, Cruz's wife was suicidal over not being able to...
- 12/13/2010
- E! Online
U.S. TV chef Juan-Carlos Cruz has pleaded no contest to solicitation of murder in his alleged plot to hire three homeless men to kill his wife. The presenter, famed as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show "Calorie Commando", was arrested in California in May on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder after he was caught out during a reported undercover operation.
According to TMZ, Cruz's wife Jennifer Campbell wanted to die because she could not have kids but refused to take her own life due to religious beliefs. The TV star allegedly wanted his wife murdered as an act of mercy and planned to then take his own life.
Cruz initially pleaded not guilty but in court on Tuesday, October 26, it was announced that he had struck a deal with prosecutors to plead no contest. He has reportedly agreed to accept nine years in prison.
According to TMZ, Cruz's wife Jennifer Campbell wanted to die because she could not have kids but refused to take her own life due to religious beliefs. The TV star allegedly wanted his wife murdered as an act of mercy and planned to then take his own life.
Cruz initially pleaded not guilty but in court on Tuesday, October 26, it was announced that he had struck a deal with prosecutors to plead no contest. He has reportedly agreed to accept nine years in prison.
- 10/27/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Celebrity Chef Cruz Cuts Plea Bargain
U.S. TV chef Juan-carlos Cruz has pleaded no contest to solicitation of murder in his alleged plot to hire three homeless men to kill his wife.
The presenter, famed as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was arrested in California in May on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder after he was caught out during a reported undercover operation.
According to TMZ.com, Cruz's wife Jennifer Campbell wanted to die because she could not have kids but refused to take her own life due to religious beliefs. The TV star allegedly wanted his wife murdered as an act of mercy and planned to then take his own life.
Cruz initially pleaded not guilty but in court on Tuesday, it was announced that he had struck a deal with prosecutors to plead no contest.
He has reportedly agreed to accept nine years in prison. A judge will sentence him on 13 December.
The presenter, famed as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was arrested in California in May on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder after he was caught out during a reported undercover operation.
According to TMZ.com, Cruz's wife Jennifer Campbell wanted to die because she could not have kids but refused to take her own life due to religious beliefs. The TV star allegedly wanted his wife murdered as an act of mercy and planned to then take his own life.
Cruz initially pleaded not guilty but in court on Tuesday, it was announced that he had struck a deal with prosecutors to plead no contest.
He has reportedly agreed to accept nine years in prison. A judge will sentence him on 13 December.
- 10/26/2010
- WENN
Juan-Carlos Cruz is apparently ready to take the heat. But it's not the kitchen he may be bound for. The former Food Network chef pleaded no contest today to charges of soliciting two homeless men to kill his wife last May. So what happens now? The 48-year-old, who previously fronted Calorie Commando and Weighing In, has been free on $2 million bail since his spring arrest, but faces a maximum of nine years in state prison. His no contest plea was part of a deal the TV chef brokered with prosecutors—in exchange for not fighting the attempted solicitation of murder charge, one count of attempted murder, the more severe charge of the two, will be dropped. His sentencing will...
- 10/26/2010
- E! Online
After his arrest in May, neighbors expressed shock and disbelief that Juan-Carlos Cruz, a churchgoing Catholic and well-known pastry chef who once had his own TV show, would want anyone dead, much less his wife. But on Tuesday, the former Food Network star pleaded no contest in a Los Angeles court to soliciting two homeless men to kill his high school sweetheart, Jennifer Campbell, an attorney. The plot was thwarted by police, and Campbell wasn't hurt. Although Cruz didn't admit wrongdoing, his plea has the same legal effect of a guilty plea. Cruz, 48, now faces nine years in state prison...
- 10/26/2010
- by Ken Lee
- PEOPLE.com
The thing about remaining in police custody is, it can really wreak havoc on your diet. Oh, and in Juan-Carlos Cruz's case, it also means you've been accused of trying to pay two homeless guys to murder your wife. But for now let's focus on the former, shall we? The Los Angeles Police Department is hitting the former Food Network chef where it really hurts—in the waistline—by forcing the man who made a name for himself as the Calorie Commando to get his three squares a day from the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail canteen. A fate worse than for-hire death! Except not. Anyway, the normally fresh and healthy Cruz is currently being forced to make do with (gasp) fried...
- 5/20/2010
- E! Online
Los Angeles, California (X17online) - Juan-Carlos Cruz, who at one time hosted the Food Network's Calorie Commando, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges. Cruz was also facing solicitation of murder. The TV chef was accused of hiring two homeless men to kill his wife, lawyer Jennifer Campbell. Last Thurday, the 48-year-old was arrested after a homeless man went to the Santa Monica Police Department to tell them about Cruz's illegal proposition. Cruz will next appear in court on June 23 for a preliminary hearing. His bail has been set for $2 million. Calls to Cruz's attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, were not returned. Photo courtesy: The Food Network...
- 5/18/2010
- x17online.com
Cruz Pleads Not Guilty To Attempted Murder
Former U.S. TV cooking host Juan-carlos Cruz has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and solicitation of murder amid allegations he approached two homeless men and asked them to kill someone for money.
Cruz, who found fame in 2004 as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was arrested in Santa Monica, California on Thursday on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder.
Authorities are said to have launched an undercover operation to arrest the 48 year old after a man told police he was contacted by Cruz as part of a murder plot, with some reports suggesting the star sought the men out to kill his estranged wife, Jennifer Campbell.
But in a Los Angeles court on Monday Cruz pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to TMZ.com. His bail has been set at $2 million (£1.3 million) and he is next due in court on 23 June.
Cruz, who found fame in 2004 as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was arrested in Santa Monica, California on Thursday on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder.
Authorities are said to have launched an undercover operation to arrest the 48 year old after a man told police he was contacted by Cruz as part of a murder plot, with some reports suggesting the star sought the men out to kill his estranged wife, Jennifer Campbell.
But in a Los Angeles court on Monday Cruz pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to TMZ.com. His bail has been set at $2 million (£1.3 million) and he is next due in court on 23 June.
- 5/18/2010
- WENN
A former Food Network chef pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he hired homeless men to murder his wife, an alleged plot that was thwarted before the woman was killed. Juan-Carlos Cruz, 48, was charged in Los Angeles with one count of attempted premeditated murder - which carries a life sentence if convicted - against Jennifer Campbell. He was also charged with one count of solicitation of murder. Related: Former Food Network Chef Arrested in Murder-for-Hire PlotSanta Monica police arrested Cruz on May 13 after he allegedly approached two men to kill someone. Court papers identified the intended victim as Campbell, Cruz's high school sweetheart.
- 5/17/2010
- by Elaine Aradillas
- PEOPLE.com
Take one embattled former Food Network chef. Allow to simmer for several days in police custody. Finish off with a big dollop of disassociation. Serve alongside a sizable portion of public judgment. That, apparently, is the network's latest recipe for damage control. So while former Calorie Commando and Weighing In host Juan-Carlos Cruz has just been officially charged with attempted murder and solicitation of murder, the cable-based foodie fanatics are working overtime to set the record straight on the current nature of their relationship with the chef. Namely, that it's nonexistent. Cruz today was slapped with the dual charges after allegedly soliciting two homeless men to murder his wife...
- 5/17/2010
- E! Online
We can neither confirm nor deny reports that former Food Network star Juan-Carlos Cruz is guilty of solicitation to commit murder. But we can tell you this – he was not a great cooking class instructor.
Not long before he became the Calorie Commando on everyone’s favorite cooking channel, we took a six-week course at a local cooking school and Juan Carlos was our instructor. In reality, he was our instructor for three weeks because that’s how long we lasted before we left Juan-Carlos’ kitchen and got a credit to take someone else’s class.
There were a couple of issues:
1. There seemed to be only one thing that Juan-Carlos liked to talk about more than food and that was Juan-Carlos. In between the scattered cooking lessons, there were a lot of anecdotes about his weight loss, his life as a pastry chef, and a lot of other stuff...
Not long before he became the Calorie Commando on everyone’s favorite cooking channel, we took a six-week course at a local cooking school and Juan Carlos was our instructor. In reality, he was our instructor for three weeks because that’s how long we lasted before we left Juan-Carlos’ kitchen and got a credit to take someone else’s class.
There were a couple of issues:
1. There seemed to be only one thing that Juan-Carlos liked to talk about more than food and that was Juan-Carlos. In between the scattered cooking lessons, there were a lot of anecdotes about his weight loss, his life as a pastry chef, and a lot of other stuff...
- 5/17/2010
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Former Food Network host Juan-Carlos Cruz is expected to plead not guilty today in his arraignment for allegedly trying to hire two homeless people to kill his wife. After two men tipped off the cops last week, Cruz, who hosted the channel's Calorie Commando, was arrested and taken to the Los Angeles County Jail. According to TMZ, Cruz approached the men at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and supplied them with $1,000, a box cutter and instructions to slit his wife's throat. [Radar]...
- 5/17/2010
- Movieline - TVline
Celebrity Chef Cruz Arrested
Former U.S. TV cooking host Juan-carlos Cruz has been arrested in Los Angeles for solicitation to commit murder.
Cruz, who found fame in 2004 as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was taken into custody in Santa Monica on Thursday amid claims he approached homeless men to kill someone for money.
According to reports, authorities launched an undercover operation to arrest the 48 year old after a man told police he was contacted by Cruz as part of a murder plot.
Police have declined to release the alleged target's name, but TMZ.com reports it was his estranged wife.
Cruz is being held at Los Angeles County Jail on $5 million (£3.1 million) bail.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
Cruz, who found fame in 2004 as the host of the Food Network's healthy cooking show Calorie Commando, was taken into custody in Santa Monica on Thursday amid claims he approached homeless men to kill someone for money.
According to reports, authorities launched an undercover operation to arrest the 48 year old after a man told police he was contacted by Cruz as part of a murder plot.
Police have declined to release the alleged target's name, but TMZ.com reports it was his estranged wife.
Cruz is being held at Los Angeles County Jail on $5 million (£3.1 million) bail.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
- 5/16/2010
- WENN
Juan-Carlos Cruz, the former host of the shows ‘Calorie Commando’ and ‘Weighing In,’ was arrested in Santa Monica on May 13, the Associated Press (AP) is reporting. The Food Network personality is believed to have hired homeless people to commit murder for him. The chef was under surveillance for a week before he was arrested. However, further details have not been released, including the name of his target, but that person has been notified by police. Santa Monica police Sgt. Jay Trisler did confirm that Cruz was booked on charges of solicitation to commit murder, and is being held on $5 million bail. The people Cruz solicited contacted the Santa Monica Police [...]...
- 5/16/2010
- by karen
- ShockYa
Juan-Carlos Cruz, the former host of "Calorie Commando" on the Food Network, has been arrested for allegedly soliciting homeless people to kill someone for him.
A few of the homeless men Cruz approached notified the Santa Monica Police Department's Homeless Liaison Program, and the cops arrested the chef Thursday after an investigation ensued.
Law enforcement sources informed TMZ the intended victim was Cruz's wife.
Apparently, the ex-tv chef was saying that his wife had recently...
A few of the homeless men Cruz approached notified the Santa Monica Police Department's Homeless Liaison Program, and the cops arrested the chef Thursday after an investigation ensued.
Law enforcement sources informed TMZ the intended victim was Cruz's wife.
Apparently, the ex-tv chef was saying that his wife had recently...
- 5/16/2010
- Extra
Former Food Network chef Juan-Carlos Cruz has gone from cooking to central booking. Santa Monica police arrested Cruz, 48, on May 13 for solicitation to commit murder after uncovering a scheme in which he allegedly approached homeless men and asked them to kill someone. According to reports, at least one of the men allegedly contacted by Cruz informed police of the plot. Law enforcement immediately launched a week-long undercover operation and arrested Cruz on Thursday at a local dog park. Cruz's intended target - whose identity has yet to be revealed - has been notified of the plot, police said. Authorities have...
- 5/16/2010
- by Kristen Mascia
- PEOPLE.com
How's this for a headline: "Chef Hires Hitman!" Sounds crazy, right? Not in the case of onetime Food Network host Juan-Carlos Cruz, aka the Calorie Commando—although hitman might be too strong of a word. Cruz was arrested Thursday afternoon in Santa Monica on suspicion of soliciting homeless people to commit murder. Officers working with the Santa Monica's Homeless Liaison Program were contacted last Friday by several homeless individuals claiming to be approached by the chef, says Sgt. Jay Trisler. "The individuals who were solicited agreed to assist the Santa Monica Police Department in the investigation," Trisler explains, noting that officers were given the time and location...
- 5/15/2010
- E! Online
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Juan-Carlos Cruz -- host of the now defunct Food Network show "Calorie Commando" -- allegedly targeted his own wife in what cops say is a murder-for-hire plot. Our sources say Juan-Carlos went to several homeless people in Santa Monica earlier this month and said he would pay them to kill his wife. Law enforcement sources tell us he told the homeless people she had recently inherited a lot of money...
- 5/15/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Juan-Carlos Cruz -- former host of " Calorie Commando " on the Food Network -- was arrested Thursday after he allegedly tried to hire homeless people to kill someone for him. Several of the homeless individuals contacted the Santa Monica Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program last week after they were allegedly solicited by Cruz. Cops conducted an investigation with their assistance and made the arrest Thursday afternoon. Cops have learned the identity of the intended target,...
- 5/15/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
A former Food Network chef and cookbook author is in custody for allegedly asking Santa Monica homeless people to kill someone for him, Santa Monica police officials said Friday. Local news in Los Angeles is reporting that Juan-Carlos Cruz, the popular host of two Food Network.s shows, Calorie Commando and Weighing In, is in jail tonight awaiting his arraignment Monday. Juan-Carlos Cruz was arrested Thursday and booked on suspicion of solicitation to commit murder, said Sgt. Jay Trisler. Police said Cruz allegedly approached people on the streets a week earlier and asked them to kill someone for him. The homeless individuals contacted police, who were then able to learn details of the alleged solicitation, including how, where and when...
- 5/15/2010
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
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