Rachel Lee, alleged leader of the celebrity-targeting theft gang, the "Bling Ring," may be wearing a different kind of bling very soon in the form of a shiny pair of handcuffs. Lee pleaded no contest to residential burglary charges on Friday and faces several years in prison, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Lee originally faced three charges of felony burglary and two counts of receiving stolen property. However, after striking a plea deal with Los Angeles prosecutors and pleading no contest to one count of residential burglary, she only faces four years in prison for her crime, according to the Times.
Lee originally faced three charges of felony burglary and two counts of receiving stolen property. However, after striking a plea deal with Los Angeles prosecutors and pleading no contest to one count of residential burglary, she only faces four years in prison for her crime, according to the Times.
Lee and her fellow Bling Ring members gained notoriety after they were accused in December 2009 of robbing the homes of several celebrities of more than $3 million in jewelry, designer clothes and accessories. The robberies targeted such big name stars as Orlando Bloom and Lindsay Lohan, as well as B-listers like Audrina Partridge and Brian Austin Green.
Lee stood out from the pack as one of the alleged ring leaders and masterminds of the thefts. Another infamous member, Alexis Neiers, who was featured on the reality TV show "Pretty Wild," also pleaded no contest to felony residential burglary last May. She was sentenced to six months in jail and three years of probation but could have faced six years in prison if her case had gone to trial.
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| The nineteen year old Rachel Lee |
Typically, prosecutors will enter into a plea bargain with the defendant in order to assure a conviction. A no contest plea means that Lee has not pleaded guilty to the crime but does not contest the charges either. Although it carries the same punishment as a guilty plea, it allows defendants to avoid trial, and Lee's plea cannot be used against her in any later civil proceedings.
Rachel Lee's other alleged Bling Ring accomplices - Nick Prugo, Courtney Ames, Diana Tamayo, and Roy Lopez Jr. - have all pleaded not guilty thus far. Lee is scheduled for sentencing on October 21.
Culled from losangelescriminallegalblog.com
