Reagan’s Grandson Given 6 Months for Burglaries

Former President Ronald Reagan’s grandson was sentenced to six months in jail Tuesday on charges of receiving stolen property for his role in two November auto burglaries.

In a deal with prosecutors, Cameron Reagan, 20, had pleaded no contest to the charge. Reagan’s lawyer, Donald Wager, argued unsuccessfully Tuesday that his client should be freed on probation because he stole only 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.

Several of Cameron Reagan’s relatives, including his father, Michael, were in the courtroom Tuesday when the judge sentenced him to 180 days in jail plus three years’ probation. The sentence was stayed for a month to allow the completion of psychological evaluation.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Tricia Ann Bigellow agreed with Deputy Dist. Atty. Lea Purwin D’Agostino that Reagan should be imprisoned because he stole from two different victims and was on probation for misdemeanor vandalism at the time of the offense.

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

Reagan’s co-defendant, Chris Lopez, also 20, had pleaded no contest last year to the same charge. 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.