From In Front of The Lens, To Behind Bars: Former 'Top Model' Headed to Prison

PHOTOS: Jail booking photo of Renee Alway courtesy of the Palm Springs Police Department, left; Alway pictured in one of her modeling photos on ”America’s Next Top Model” Source: ANTM / Nigel Barker, right.

A 28-year-old former “America’s Next Top Model” finalist pleaded guilty Wednesday to several criminal charges, including break-ins at several Palm Springs residences, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Renee Diane Alway pleaded guilty to four burglary counts and one count each of vehicle theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm— all felonies— and a misdemeanor count of identity theft for crimes she committed last year in the Palm Springs area.

Alway, who finished in the top three of Cycle 8 of “Top Model,” which aired in 2007, admitted burglarizing residences on Calle Tranquillo, Tanger Court, Juanita Drive and Toledo Avenue between June 21-26, 2013.

She also admitted to stealing a 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 sedan with Minnesota license plates, having a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun, and stealing a woman’s personal information, according to court documents.

Alway, who’s been in custody in lieu of $150,000 bail since her arrest last year, was also ordered to pay more than $58,000 in restitution to the victims.

More than a dozen other counts, including receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a forged check and resisting an officer, were dismissed under the plea agreement.

Alway was arrested on June 28, 2013, after someone reported a “suspicious female” in the area and arriving officers found an open back door at a residence in the 600 block of Violeta Drive in Palm Springs.

Officers found Alway hiding in the garage of the home, according to Palm Springs police Sgt. Harvey Reed, who said the residents were out of the country at the time.

— By City News Service.