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Monday, May 10, 2010

WILD WAYS


Alexis Neiers better not be acting so wild—if she knows what's good for her.

The star of E!'s Pretty Wild pleaded no contest to her role as one of the so-called Hollywood Burglar Bunch, but didn't manage to avoid jail time for her role in burglarizing Orlando Bloom's house.

Neiers will get off with 180 days in jail followed by three years' felony probation and a two-year suspended prison sentence. This means that if she doesn't behave herself during the course of her probation, she could face two years behind bars.

She was also ordered stay away from Bloom and his residence and must pay restitution. Prosecutors estimated the amount could hit $600,000.

"Ms. Neiers feels it's in the best interest to take the people's offer because of the amount of jail time that could possibly occur...and she wants to move on with her life," her attorney, Jeffery Rubenstein, told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza.

Mom/costar Andrea Arlington was heard whispering, "and so it is," as Neiers was read the terms of her plea deal.

Sporting jeans and a black blazer, Neiers was accompanied to court by her mother and sisters Gabby Neiers and Tess Taylor for what was scheduled to be the beginning of her trial on a felony charge of burglarizing the Lord of the Rings/Pirates of the Caribbean star's digs.

The women, sometimes visibly upset, encouraged each other to "relax"; Tess rubbed Alexis' arm as she waited for Espinoza to call the case.

But the 18-year-old reality star quickly put the brakes on the proceedings—after conferencing with her attorney, Neiers entered a no contest plea.

Not only did she avoid an anticipated courtroom showdown with Bloom, but she also avoided a hefty sentence—a felony burglary count could have netted her up to six years in prison.

Neiers had previously pleaded not guilty for her role in the heist. However, her defense took a serious hit earlier this month when Espinoza refused to block statements she gave police about the burglary and her alleged Bling Ring accomplices.

"It's been a long road and Alexis is looking forward to moving on with her life," Rubenstein, said after today's hearing. "After lengthy consideration and fighting the best pretrial fight we could, we decided it was in Alexis' best interest to take responsibility for her small part in this incident and do a little bit of county jail time instead of a lengthy state prison sentence if convicted."

Rubenstein also admitted that Bloom's expected testimony played a role in Neiers' willingness to accept a plea deal.

"I think the fact that Orlando Bloom [would testify], and the weight of a celeb testifying against Alexis, made us realize the odds were stacked against us," Rubenstein said. "This was a last-minute decision. We were ready for trial today."

Prosecutor Sarika Kapoor said she was pleased with today's outcome: "We thought this was a just result. She was part of the group, she admitted her guilt today."

She's slated to report to jail on June 24 to begin her sentence.