Sonora dentist takes plea deal

A Sonora dentist charged with several counts of sexual misconduct pleaded guilty to one of the charges Wednesday in Tuolumne County Superior Court.

Scott Carl Henning, 46, pleaded guilty, in an arrangement with prosecutors, to a single felony charge of performing lewd acts with a child of 15.
  

Henning had also been charged with three other criminal activities: contacting a minor for purposes of a sexual offense, using a minor to create an image of sexual conduct by a minor, and possession or control of matter depicting a minor engaging in or simulating sexual activity.

Under the plea agreement, those three charges will be dropped.

District Attorney Donald Segerstrom offered the plea deal with the caveat that Henning undergo psychological review to see if he is a suitable candidate for probation. The psychologist would have to rule Henning is not a threat to the community and is unlikely to repeat the offense for him to be suitable for probation.

Should the doctor rule otherwise, Henning could withdraw his plea and start again toward a trial.

Henning also will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and receive counseling, under terms of the plea deal. It is still possible that Henning, based on the recommendation of the probation department, could face jail time of up to one year, plus five years probation.

Judge Eleanor Provost set his sentencing for 1:15 p.m. Sept. 2 in Department 4.

Segerstrom said there were a number of factors that contributed to the deal. Henning had no prior criminal history, and the offense did not include intercourse.

“He has been a productive member of the community for a long time,” Segerstrom said.

Henning’s relationship with the victim began in late July 2008, according to Segerstrom. The girl, now 16, went to his home with her sister, a friend of the Henning family.

Henning allegedly rubbed the girl’s leg in the hot tub, Segerstrom said. They then began a relationship via e-mail and telephone. It involved exchanging lewd personal pictures, he said.

When Henning began to suggest they meet again, she balked and ended the relationship in October, Segerstrom said. The girl’s sister reported the incident to a mandated reporter, who contacted law enforcement, he said.

The California Dental Board is investigating the incident, and the District Attorney’s Office is cooperating, Segerstrom said.

James Reilly, Henning’s Point Richmond-based attorney, said he believes the psychologist will determine Henning is suitable for probation.

The dentist is already undergoing counseling in Modesto, he said.

“They appear to be satisfied, and I am too, that he’s not likely to re-offend,” he said. 

 The girl was not a patient of Henning’s, and their relationship lasted only for a short time, he said.

It’s not an offense that should allow the Dental Board to suspend his license, Reilly said, citing board regulations that say the board can only suspend or revoke a license if someone is convicted of a crime that relates to his or her job.

"It’s very difficult for him and his family,” he said.