The young man befriended by Miley Cyrus and who delivered a moving speech about surviving in homeless shelters at the Video Music Awards in August was sentenced on Tuesday to six months in jail.
Jesse Helt, 22, who went to Oregon to visit his family after his star-studded TV appearance, was arrested for a probation violation stemming from a 2010 arrest and ordered to spend six months in jail in Polk County, Oregon. He will be credited for 57 days of time served.
Helt appeared in court in a black suit and black leather Converse sneakers. Although his attorney Whitney Boise gave an impassioned plea on his behalf — detailing Helt's difficult upbringing, his hard life in Los Angeles, and his efforts to contribute to society — Judge Monte S. Campbell was unmoved. The judge cited continuing probation violations as the reason to revoke his probation and send him to jail.
Helt, who was allowed to speak on his own behalf, said he'd "like to be viewed as a good person."
Helt's sister, who was supposed to serve as a character witness, arrived after the hearing had ended. District Attorney Aaron Felton said he believes Helt received the same treatment as any other defendant.
IN-DEPTH
- Maria Elena Fernandez
