Cameron Douglas Sentenced to 5 Years in Drug Case

By Marc Schneider Posted Apr 20th 2010 03:58PM

Calling it his "last chance to make it," a New York judge on Tuesday sentenced Michael Douglas' son to five years in prison for his role in dealing methamphetamine and cocaine in New York City, the AP reports. Cameron Douglas apologized to Federal Judge Richard Berman and the court and admitted he was responsible for not turning his life around. In addition to jail time, Douglas was ordered to pay $25,000 in fines and will spend an additional five years in a release program.

The 31-year-old actor had faced 10 years behind bars, but the sentencing is seen as a clear rejection of the defense's request that Douglas serve, at most, three and a half years in prison.

Michael Douglas was in the courtroom for the announcement and appeared dejected as he and ex-wife Diandra Luker, Cameron's mother, exited the building. On Monday, the famed 'Wall Street' actor penned a personal letter asking a judge to have mercy on his son, writing that the family's long history of drug abuse exacerbated his downward spiral.

"He is an adult and responsible for his own actions," Michael Douglas wrote, but added that "genes, family and peer pressure" also contributed to his son's substance abuse problems, which led to his getting involved in drug-dealing.

Berman said he read the father's letter, along with others sent from supporters who all shared the same belief that Douglas was ready to "turn his life around." However, the judge determined full rehabilitation outside of prison would "be a very difficult chore," adding, "I think this case and this sentencing may well be his last chance to make it."

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Michael Douglas Snapshots

Michael Douglas and ex-wife Diandra Luker exit Manhattan federal court amid a crush of reporters following the sentencing of their son Cameron on Tuesday. Cameron received a 5-year sentence after pleading guilty to drug charges. More Photos >>

FR77522 AP

Michael Douglas Snapshots

Michael Douglas exits Manhattan federal court following the sentencing of his son Cameron Douglas, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, in New York. Cameron was sentenced to 5 year in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

Michael Douglas Snapshots

Actor Michael Douglas and his former wife Diandra Luker leave New York Federal Court April 20, 2010 after their son, Cameron Douglas was sentenced to 5 years for possession of methamphetamines with the intent to distribute. AFP PHOTO/TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Michael Douglas Snapshots

Cameron Douglas pleaded guilty in January to dealing large quantities of meth and cocaine while holed up in a trendy Manhattan hotel, where he was arrested on July 28 of last year. He told a judge that a New York contact first asked him if he could score the drugs in 2006. After that, "I began supplying on a regular basis."

Douglas was swept up at the Hotel Gansevoort as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration probe, in which investigators said he was paid tens of thousands of dollars for smuggling meth -- what he referred to in intercepted phone calls as "pastry" or "bath salts." Cash and drugs were routinely exchanged from coast to coast through shippers like FedEx, a criminal complaint said.

Defense lawyers argued Douglas came to New York to look for an apartment when he had a chance encounter outside the hotel with a fellow guest and drug dealer who invited him to dinner. Afterward, the dealer asked Douglas if he could send him a pound of meth. "Still impaired by his addiction, Cameron agreed and later flew to California to arrange the requested transaction," court papers said.

In his letter to the court, Michael Douglas painted his son's problems with substance abuse as the product, in part, of a privileged but difficult childhood and the long shadow cast by a family of screen icons. "I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father," wrote Douglas.

Douglas lists several Douglas family members who have grappled with substance abuse, but those names have been blacked out. Michael's half-brother, Eric, died of a drug overdose in 2004.

The five-page letter joined others written to the court by Cameron's supporters, including grandfather Kirk Douglas and stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Zeta-Jones wrote that while his drug addiction had taken over his life in recent years, he remained a "caring, considerate, worthy human being." She did not argue that Cameron should not pay for his crime. "What is wrong, is wrong," she admits. "But may all these positive attributes prevail, so that a facility that he is positioned in, will help rehabilitate him."

In his letter, Kirk Douglas asked the judge to spare his grandson from a lengthy sentence, saying he hopes to see him turn his life around "before I die." The elder Douglas, 93, visited Cameron in jail recently, where he "didn't express any self-pity, nor did he ask for any. The only sorrow he expressed was for the trouble he had caused others. ... I was shocked when he got in such a mess."

He concluded: "I'm convinced Cameron could be a fine actor. ... I hope I can see that happen before I die. I love Cameron."

The young Douglas has acted in a handful of movies including 2003's 'It Runs in the Family,' starring his father and grandfather, but his Hollywood career has sputtered since then. According to his IMDB page, Douglas' next project was supposed to be 'The Beautiful Outsiders,' a film in pre-production also starring Corey Feldman and Shannen Doherty.

Tags: Cameron Douglas, Michael Douglas

Comments

(292)

Tuesday 20 April

By sandy

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This is not Camerons 1st rodeo, hes a spoiled rich little brat that got what he deserves

By E. Martinez

Yeah Mike, lets give him a "break", yada, yada, yada... LOL Seriously dude, if the DEATH of his step brother didn't stop him from USING AND SELLING, nothing but prison time will, at least for the next 5 yrs and only to a degree!! Did you write to the judge on his behalf like his bone-headed family members???? LOL

Michael Douglas and Kathrine Zeta-Jones should be ASHAMED of themselves!!! Do they want to lose another child in that family?? Only asking because it's clear to me that they're to stupid to realize that he needs help and that he needs to pay for his CRIME??!!!

Oh Michael, please, don't give me... "peer pressure, genes and family ties" as a "reason" because that won't fly with me!! Why? Because there are THOUSANDS of people who have the same "reasons" and you don't see jugdes out there giving those people a break!!! Yet another pathetic family.

Thank goodness the judge didn't fall for their "reasons"!! This case brings me hope because we're finally seeing someone being treated the way you or I would be. It's one step forward IMHO.... Peace

By Karine

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Second chance? Hahahaha Where the hell have you been? This douche has been in trouble with the law for drug use and dealing on several occasions !

By Phyl

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Ordinary people get a lot worse. I was watching a movie the other day (true story) about a woman who unknowingly got involved with a drug dealer. She had him staying with her for a while and she answered the phone and he would say to take a message. She was a single mom and had gone to school to be a nurse. Well, long story longer, she ended up in prison for a sentence of 20 years. Thankfully, she got a pardon from the president of the U.S. before he left office. She still ended up in jail for 6 years.

By dawn

My goodness, now we have mommy and daddy writing letters defending selling meth...I guess they figure as long as its done in an upscale hotel in NYC that the meth must be really magical and not as illegal as the stuff sold in the "hood." Get a life you screwed up Hollywood has beens.

By Cace

It's not like they asked the Judge to let him off... I too wrote a letter for a young man I once had in my employ for over 10 years, I was shocked that he got caught in the meth trap. Although a good person in his heart, he made mistakes with his life and was sentenced to 4 years in prison. It's human nature to protect those you love. I am still in contact with this young man and happy to say prison has done him a world of good... he earned his GED, works a regular job inside and has decided not to try for early parole so he can continue his rehabilitation without distractions. Kudos to the Douglas family for letting the Judge know he is an important part of their family and only want what is best for him.

By snowmassey

dawn
Did rush limbaugh's mommy & daddy write letters to
his judge ? I guess so, he got busted twice and never
did a day in jail. Some people are so self important
they are above the law.

By two4ac

Funny how they are all SORRY after they get caught. I'd like to know how many kids got into the crap he sold and how many of them died or will die in the future because of his actions. No pity here....sorry.

By tina

good point

By mzharleywood

Bulls**t!! He belongs in prison with the other dealers...I am sick & tired of "celebrity justice"...

Wednesday 21 April

By Dori

Amen!!!!!

By bean17418

I agree how many times are we going to blames others and rescuing our kids just another spoiled hollywood brat

By Paul

Everyone should be treated fair.

By Karen

My son is dead as a result of those damn drugs.

By Carolyn W.

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The sentence is way too harsh for the rich or for the poor. I know people that have done worse crimes multiple times and only recieved 60 months Federal time.

By sheila kraemer

Or less - probation, even. I agree that most sentences are too harsh, regardless of who the person is. The reality is, those who cannot afford an attorney get the harshest sentences. Public defenders are so overworked that all they are is glorified plea bargainers. Those accused, who claim innocence, and dare to face trial and lose (often because of inadequate defense by overworked public defenders) get the harshest penalties. It's called the "dared to go to trial tax!"

By Gary Mayer

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Carolyn W: I agree; but, if this were a state crime the sentence would have been more harsh, depending upon the state. Typical legal strategy in the state where I live, Wisconsin:

1) Cameron would have gotten ten years, truth in sentencing.

2) With DUI's, cops park outside bars and wait for a staggering drunk to get in their car and drive away. Then they arrest the 'victim' instead of prohibiting the drunk from even getting into their car. This is unethical at best and unsafe.

3) With child molestation cases, the D.A. offers a plea bargain, knowing the accused is innocent. This is done to protect the 'victim' from having to testify even though it's one person's word against the other. The defendant takes the plea bargain thinking that he might be found guilty even though he is innocent and, thereby, may receive a huge sentence (often estranged wives or girlfriends put the kids up to lying to get back at the accused for dumping them). The plea might be nine months, but the judge orders a 20 year sentence. So, the taxpayer coughs up the money for incarceration for an innocent man and being in prison for child molestation, even though innocent, is worse than beheading by an Iranian tribunal. Believe me, I have investigated these cases.

In some states, the prison system is a business; states like Wisconsin, which continue to build new prisons, retain inmates longer and are leaders in the incarceration of innocent people. They also make money by housing prisoners from other states. Other crooked judicial and penal systems are in New York, Michigan, Texas, California and other states - too many to mention. Cameron was convicted in New York.

Wonder why the U.S. leads the world in the incarceration of people? So, Carolyn, while I agree with you that the sentence is too harsh, most people are still vicious and regard an arrest as a conviction. Most people are cruel and cynical until they are the ones who find themselves on the other side of the law, innocent or guilty.

By rhonda

60 months is five years . . .

By Seriously

Isnt 60 months the same as 5 years? Just saying.

By ReallY?

60 months = 5 years

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