Kurt Walter Donsbach, 75, who was sentenced April 15 to one year in jail for practicing medicine without a license, will be released on Oct. 8, according to the sheriff’s department.
The Bonita man has been placed in a medical unit in the central jail in downtown San Diego after his attorney, Tom Warwick, said Donsbach has diabetes, high blood pressure and previously had a stroke.
Donsbach was placed on 10 years probation, fined $61,264 and ordered not to claim he was a medical doctor by San Diego Superior Court Judge Charles Rogers.
Donsbach was given credit for already serving 12 days in jail, and he was ordered to shut down his website called “Lets Talk Health.”
Donsbach formerly worked out of an office in Chula Vista and his website described him as an “alternative health pioneer” and “visionary.”
Rogers told him not to advertise or publish any more newsletters or articles on health and not lecture as a condition of probation.
The courtroom was filled with many supporters and angry victims during the sentencing in which Donsbach said nothing other than to agree to abide by probation conditions.
Warwick asked that Donsbach remain free on $150,000 bond and surrender a week later, but Rogers ordered Donsbach remanded into custody immediately.
His wife, Marilyn Donsbach, cried, “No!” as her 75-year-old husband was handcuffed by sheriff’s deputies.
Deputy District Attorney Gina Darvas asked Rogers to send him to prison, saying he defrauded people and sold medicines and steroids that are not allowed to be sold in the U.S.
Donsbach pleaded guilty on Dec. 13, 2010, to five counts of practicing medicine without a license, four counts of selling and delivering misbranded drugs, attempted grand theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
