MICHAEL Jackson's former bodyguard and close confidante Javon Beard has been jailed for up to 18 years, Sun Online can reveal.

Beard is behind bars in a Nevada prison after being convicted for armed robbery.

Beard (right) with fellow Jacko bodyguard Bill Whitfield (left) Credit: Weinstein Books

The 40-year-old bouncer is a year into his minimum six-year jail term, after being sentenced for robbery with "deadly weapon enhancement" - but faces up to 18-years.

Pals of the former bodybuilder say that the ex-doorman, who became famous after publishing a book called "Remember The Time: Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days," had trouble dealing with fame after Jacko's death in 2009.

Friends say Beard spent money "like a baller" after the book even though the twosome made less than $100k (£82,000) each from the project.

He was also suffering "depression" as well as "a huge come-down prompted by Jackson and the sex abuse allegations", pals said.

The book was turned into a Lifetime TV movie, but after the hype Beard's life hit the skids.

Beard, pictured here in his mugshot, is facing up to 18 years behind bars Credit: Nevada Department of Corrections

Beard was a bodyguard and a good friend of Jacko's Credit: Getty

“Javon and Bill ended up becoming quite famous when they were Michael’s bodyguards and they made good money," a close pal revealed.

“But after Michael’s death, which hit them both hard, Bill carried on with his old life but Javon wanted to carry on living the showbiz lifestyle he’d become used to.

“He’s a nice guy but he just got carried away with Michael’s success - and it was tough to deal with once that disappeared.

“Things became hard financially, he ended up falling into the wrong crowd.

“At the same time he started getting quizzed a lot about Michael and the sex abuse allegations.

Beard acted as bodyguard for Jacko along with Bill Whitfield Credit: Facebook

He enjoyed living the celebrity lifestyle with Jacko Credit: Getty

“After the lawsuit from Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck came out - people started taking it more seriously and all of a sudden everyone was asking him about it.

“He found himself defending Michael all the time and it took it’s toll on him.

“He made some bad decisions and now he’s paying the price in prison.

"It’s been tough for him, he’s been feeling very depressed and he’s lost touch with a lot of his old friends.

Beard's records from the Nevada Department of Corrections Credit: Nevada Department of Corrections

“But he’s determined to come out the other side and put his life straight again.”

Beard is currently imprisoned at High Desert State Prison, Indian Springs. Nevada.

He appealed his conviction but lost.