Juan Carlos Cruz, a former Food Network chef, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday morning where he was sentenced to state prison for attempting to solicit homeless men to kill his wife.

Airport Superior Court Judge H. Chester Horn sentenced Cruz to nine years in state prison - one count of attempted murder was dismissed at sentencing.   

PHOTOS: Juan-Carlos Cruz

Cruz, 48, entered a plea of no contest on October 26 after he was charged with solicitation of murder.