Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Michael Douglas' son sentenced to 4 1/2 more years in prison

Cameron Douglas and Michael Douglas

(Credit: AP Photo)

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - A judge has nearly doubled the prison sentence for the son of actor Michael Douglas for repeat drug offenses.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman cited Cameron Douglas' history of "reckless behavior" as he sentenced him to spend an additional four and a half years in prison. This new sentence has been added to the five years he is already serving for drug charges.

This new sentence was more than double what prosecutors wanted for Douglas' guilty plea to drug charges that arose after he successfully smuggled drugs into prison.

The judge said he had never had a case before in which a defendant "has so recklessly, wantonly, flagrantly and criminally acted in such a destructive and manipulative fashion as Cameron Douglas has."

The 32-year-old Douglas asked the judge to give him a second chance at treatment. The judge recommended he be sent to a prison facility that can give him drug and mental health care.

"I cannot seem to find comfort within my own skin," he said. "I feel ashamed. I feel defeated. ... I know that I bear in my heart what it will take to overcome this plague."

Douglas was arrested in July 2009 for dealing methamphetamine from a luxury Manhattan hotel.

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