Reagan’s Grandson Sentenced in Thefts

Former President Ronald Reagan’s grandson was sentenced to six months in jail Tuesday for his role in two November auto burglaries.

Cameron Reagan, 20, had pleaded no contest in March to charges of receiving stolen property.

Reagan’s lawyer, Donald Wager, argued unsuccessfully Tuesday that his client should be freed on probation because he took part in the burglaries out of necessity after his parents threw him out of the house, and because publicity about his case was punishment enough.

“This is someone who is out of control from an emotional disorder that is untreated, who is trying to survive on the street penniless,” Wager said. He said Reagan has recently been diagnosed as suffering from adult attention-deficit disorder.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Tricia Ann Bigellow agreed with Deputy Dist. Atty. Lea Purwin D’Agostino that Reagan should be imprisoned because the thefts involved two separate incidents and he was on probation for misdemeanor vandalism at the time.

As she sentenced Reagan to the jail time plus three years’ probation, his mother sobbed from the back of the courtroom. The sentence was stayed for a month to allow the completion of psychological evaluation.

“We think this is a very fair sentence,” D’Agostino said.

Reagan’s co-defendant, Chris Lopez, also 20, pleaded no contest last year on the same charges. He was sentenced to four months in jail and three years’ probation.

Reagan and Lopez were arrested in Sherman Oaks after police saw them trying car doors near Valley Heart Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard.

Authorities said Reagan had a cellular phone, a briefcase and a gym bag taken from the vehicles when he was picked up, and that he admitted his role to police.