Purported Ringleader in Celeb Burglaries Wants Deal

LOS ANGELES (May 11) -- The alleged teen mastermind behind a burglary ring that made off with some $3 million in jewels and designer goods from the likes of Orlando Bloom and Paris Hilton will be in court Wednesday to seek a plea bargain for no jail time.

Nicholas Prugo, 18, who detailed his escapades to the police and then to Vanity Fair and TV shows including "20/20" and "Good Morning America," said in court papers that his previous attorney told him a deal was in place with the authorities.

"His previous counsel believed he had a deal with the police that Nick would be treated fairly," Prugo's current lawyer, Markus Mueller-Dombois, told AOL News. "He told Nick that he would have immunity."

On Wednesday, Prugo, who faces seven counts of first-degree burglary, will ask the judge to have prosecutors make good on the reputed deal. However, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Sarika Kim told AOL News that no such arrangement exists.

"[Prugo wants] the judge to enforce a plea agreement because he gave information to the LAPD that is now being used against him," Kim said, adding, "We always encourage defendants to admit guilt and culpability. Whether we see eye to eye on a just result, or what the punishment should be, is another matter."

Prugo also said in court papers that he's received death threats because of his cooperation, and has been branded a "snitch" and a "rat."

The hearing comes of the heels of a court appearance by one of Prugo's four fellow defendants, reality-television star Alexis Neiers, 18. On Monday she pleaded no contest to a single felony count of burglarizing Bloom's home last summer, and received a six-month jail sentence.

The case has been incorporated into Neiers' E! show, "Pretty Wild," which chronicles her life on the Hollywood party circuit.

Authorities allege Prugo and Neiers were part of the so-called "Bling Ring," which scoured celebrity magazines and websites to pick out jewelry and clothing they wanted to steal from Hollywood stars, and also to determine when the stars would be out of town.

The break-ins happened between December 2008 and October 2009, and targeted Audrina Patridge, Rachel Bilson, Ashley Tisdale, Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox, among others.

Quoting a Los Angeles Police Department report, Vanity Fair wrote: "While this activity started as a twisted adventure for Prugo and his small group of friends fueled by celebrity worship, it quickly mushroomed into an organized criminal enterprise."

In his interview with the magazine, Prugo claimed that fellow defendant Rachel Lee, 19, was actually the driving force behind the burglaries. "I know it sounds dumb, but Rachel just wanted the clothes. She wanted to look pretty," Prugo said. "I was just following Rachel."

Lee and the other defendants -- Diana Tamayo, 20, Courtney Ames, 19, and Roy Lopez Jr., 27 -- have been released on bail pending trial.