FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- A neurosurgeon recently hired by Sparks Clinic Neuroscience Center was arrested in California on Sunday (May 14) for allegedly sexually abusing children.
Dr. James Kohut, 57, is accused of child molestation including molestation of a child 10-years-old or younger, molestation of a child 14-year-old or younger and forcible molestation of a child. Kohut is being held without bail in the Santa Cruz County Jail, according to our CBS affiliate KION.
Sparks announced last week the addition of Kohut to the team. His bio sent in a press release stated that he would "provide a much needed service to the community with the treatment of brain and spine injuries."
He was terminated from his position with the Sparks Clinic Neuroscience Center on Monday (May 15).
"The three charges that he was booked in on and he was arrested on, he faces a potential life sentence," said a Santa Cruz County Deputy District Attorney.
Kohut was affiliated with Dominican Hospital and Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz County California and according to investigators a nurse from Dominican Hospital, Rashel Brandon was also arrested on several felony charges including production of child pornography. Police would not say if the two arrests were related. A third person has also been arrested. Their name has not been released yet.
According to the California State Medical Board records, Kohut's licensed were revoked for medical negligence in 2005 but the decision was stayed. Another charge Kohut faced at the time was for viewing and downloading adult pornography at a hospital he was employed.
5NEWS asked Sparks Hospital officials to comment on Kohut's record before they chose to hire him. They would not respond to the request but did say the doctor had not yet established office hours of seeing patients and has since been terminated from his position.