SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — A local cardiologist who owns a private practice in Carolina Beach had his bond hearing for nine of 11 charges faced for sex crimes with a 10-year-old.
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61-year-old Damian Brezinski now has a $2 million bond, according to the district attorney’s office, after being charged with:
- Rape of a child by adult offender
- Five counts of indecent liberties with a child
- Solicitation of child by computer
- Four counts of statutory sex offense with a child
He was arrested first for indecent liberties with a child and first-degree statutory sex offense on May 3. Kure and Carolina Beach police departments investigated the case and Brezinski received a $1.5 million bond for the first two charges. Judge Lindsay McKee reduced it to $500,000.
On May 9, nine more charges were brought forth. In his first appearance on those counts, Judge Sandra Ray gave Brezinski a $5 million bond, stating four charges carry life without parole. McKee reduced it to $1.5 million.
Brezinski is being represented by James Rutherford, with Lance Oehrlein prosecuting for the state. Prosecutors were concerned with Brezinski’s means to flee if he makes bail, noting he travels often out of the country and for work.
WECT reported the doctor’s search history on electronic devices — among numerous items confiscated during the investigation of his home, office, vehicles and storage units — included concerning inquiries. He inquired on how to change identity and fingerprints, as well as searched for: “Do therapists have to report child sex crimes?”
New Hanover County Department of Health and Social Services reported the case to authorities after interviewing the victim and victim’s mother. A video was provided of one incident that happened between the two.
It showed Brezinski nude from the waist down, walk toward a stairway leading to the victim’s bedroom, wherein he didn’t return for 40 minutes, according to one search warrant. No one else was in the house at the time.
When the mother saw the video she inquired why Brezinski was going to the victim’s bedroom to “cuddle” while nude. He responded it was “probably inappropriate.”
These statements were corroborated by the juvenile, also interviewed by police and social services. The victim claimed the sexual activity between the two began, almost nightly, when the child was six. Search warrants indicate the victim said Brezinski often brought a cellphone and would “shine a light” on the minor during the assaults. While nude, he would remove the child’s underwear, instruct the child to touch his penis, while he also inappropriately touched the child.
According to WECT, Monday’s hearing also included Brezinski offering the family hush money to not turn him in.
The judge has allowed the doctor to continue to work if he makes bail, but must wear an electronic monitoring device. He also must surrender his passport, cannot be alone with patients, have no contact with minors, and stay away from the victim and victim’s family.
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