Cameron Douglas Sentenced to 5 Years

MANHATTAN (CN) - Cameron Douglas, the son of actor Michael Douglas, was sentenced on Tuesday to 5 years in federal prison for drug charges. Douglas, 31, received credit for the 8 months he has already served since his July 2009 arrest.

After doing his time, Douglas must serve 5 years of supervised release.

The mandatory minimum for possession with intent to distribute is 10 years, but Douglas reportedly cooperated with authorities to qualify for a lesser sentence.

Douglas, a sometime DJ and actor, pleaded guilty to heroin possession and trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine between California and New York.

While awaiting trial and under house arrest in California, Douglas' girlfriend tried to sneak heroin to him by hiding the drugs in an electronic toothbrush.

The judge said he read about 37 letters from Douglas' friends and family, which sought mercy for the addict, who they say had gotten clean behind bars.

Michael Douglas, 65, is said to have sent the judge a 5-page handwritten letter that described the pressures of growing up in a famous family.

Screen legend Kirk Douglas, 93, is father to Michael and grandfather to Cameron.

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