Cameron Douglas sentenced to five years in prison

Cameron Douglas, actor Michael Douglas' oldest child, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of distributing crystal meth and possessing heroin. 

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman sentenced the younger Douglas to 60 months with credit for time served, the New York Daily News reports. Berman said he was not obliged to follow federal sentencing guidelines, according to the New York Times, and federal prosecutors didn't challenge his decision.

Family members had appealed to the court for leniency; the judge said too many of of the missives painted Cameron as a victim, and suggested the defendent "get over that idea."

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Diandra Douglas, left, and ex-husband Michael Douglas leave a federal courthouse after attending the sentencing of their son Cameron in New York on Tuesday. Credit: Justin Lane / EPA.

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Michael Douglas cites fame, family history of addiction in letter to judge about son Cameron

Kirk Douglas asks judge for leniency on grandson's behalf

Michael Douglas' son Cameron pleads guilty to dealing drugs, faces at least 10 years in prison

A lot of celebrities get their day in court -- or close to it. Click here and scroll down for more.

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Comments

[redd]

how refreshing - a judge who can see through the addict BS and give an appropriate sentence. even more refreshing? that a celebrity or child of a celebrity is given a "real" sentence like the ROW. I hope Cameron gets well and that his family and everyone who thinks of him as a victim gets into going to regular ALanon meetings.

[Da Maverick]

Before anyone get too excited about this, he was charged with possession and and distribution of a controlled substance, which the federal mandatory guidelines call for a minimum 10 year.

That the judge declared that he was not bound by these sentencing guidelines, and that the prosecutor didn't challenge this is a curious lucky break for the son of Gordon Gekko.

[Javier Mendoza]

I think that the suggestion to "get over that idea" is something that is sorely missed in many other trials like this across the nation! We need to raise the level of accountability in this country and it starts with each and every ONE of us!

[Caroline]

I think you're all a bit mad! Your horror jails are only rivalled by those in Afghanistan, and Cameron Douglas has been sentenced to 5 years of rape and battery at the hands of other inmates - he will NEVER recover and if he does survive this sentence, he will certainly be a broken man. Score! That'll really help him overcome his addiction, and you lot are baying for MORE blood! Prison terms do not stop the drugs trade!