A former Bismarck doctor has returned to Bismarck after failing to appear last week at sentencing for a terrorizing conviction.

Dr. Emilio Cruz turned himself in on Friday. South Central District Judge Bruce Romanick set bond for him at $10,000 cash or surety.

Cruz was convicted of Class C felony terrorizing in July for threatening his girlfriend's 13-year-old son with a knife. South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty was scheduled to sentence Cruz on Nov. 7, but Cruz did not appear. According to letters to the judge from Cruz and his attorney, Michael Hoffman, Cruz was in Las Vegas and his flight to Bismarck was cancelled due to last week's snowstorm. A bond order prohibited him from leaving North Dakota.

Hagerty issued a warrant for Cruz's arrest, and Cruz indicated that he would turn himself in on Nov. 8 when he returned to Bismarck.

Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Pamela Nesvig said Cruz did not mention his whereabouts for the past week during a Friday afternoon court hearing.

Nesvig recommended Cruz be held without bond until he is sentenced. A new date will be set for Cruz's sentencing. He faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

Cruz, a neurologist, was terminated from Medcenter One on April 25, but officials at the hospital were unable to comment on the reason for his termination. His license with the North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners is active but expires at the end of the year. He also is licensed to practice in California, where he is moving.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)