Healdsburg man accused of trying to lure boys is out of jail

A retired ABC TV newsman who faced child harassment charges was released from jail Wednesday.

William Sweet Weisel, 77, of Healdsburg previously reached a plea bargain with Sonoma County prosecutors. On Wednesday, he was sentenced to time served, said his attorney, Richard Scott.

Weisel was given three years of probation and must wear an ankle monitor, Scott said. He also was ordered to seek treatment for health problems related to dementia.

“His behaviors were a result of mental health issues he was suffering,” Scott said, adding that a medical evaluation was done on his client while in custody.

“Under the circumstances, the District Attorney’s Office resolved the matter in a way where the public is protected and where Mr. Weisel will get back to his unblemished life,” he said.

Weisel, an ex-producer who was shot along with five others at the 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy, had been in jail since his last arrest in May on suspicion of making felony threats.

He was suspected of threatening to have an 18-year-old man killed hours after he had been released from jail on bail from an earlier arrest in April.

Healdsburg police arrested Weisel in April after it was reported he tried to lure two boys, ages 9 and 10, into his car by offering to pay them to do work at his house. He was suspected of following the boys when they walked off.

Weisel also faced charges for providing alcohol to minors at a house party in February.

He could have faced numerous years in prison if he had not reached a plea deal with prosecutors, according to his attorney. Weisel pleaded no contest to a felony and a misdemeanor in exchange for the dismissal of the more serious counts, including attempted kidnapping.

You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @eloisanews.