Cameron Douglas Sentenced to 5 Years for Methamphetamine Dealing

Cameron Douglas, son of actor Michael Douglas and grandson of actor Kirk Douglas, received a sentence of 5 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine dealing ring. The 5 year sentence was half the possible maximum of 10 years of prison time and he will receive credit for 8 months time already served while awaiting trial. In addition to incarceration, Douglas will need to serve 450 hours of community service and pay a fine of $25 000.

In making his sentencing decision, presiding US District Judge Richard M Berman weighed the evidence of Cameron’s illegal actions against support from friends and family, repentance from Cameron himself and from mitigating factors, such as Cameron’s familial history of addiction and a somewhat unsupervised adolescence. Michael and Kirk Douglas both wrote letters in support of Cameron, pleading for leniency, as did other supporting family members and celebrities. Step-mom Catherine Zeta Jones, in her letter wrote, "My stepson is a caring, considerate, worthy human being.”

Prior to sentencing, Cameron, who has long struggled with heroin addiction, addressed the court, apologizing for his actions and pledging to live a better life if again given the opportunity, saying “I would like to apologize to my family and my loved ones for putting them through this nightmare of my making -- and for my behaviors that have caused a rift between us in the past…If I should be so fortunate as to have another chance, I will never squander that opportunity."

Michael Douglas has been visiting his jailed son weekly in a Manhattan federal prison, and he sat behind his son in the courtroom as the sentence was read.