Ryan O'Neal Convicted of Drug Possession

The 67-year-old actor Ryan O’Neal appeared in a Los Angeles court with his 23-year-old son Redmond on the 9^th January 2009 to enter pleas relating to their arrest on 17^th September 2008.   On that date, police officers carrying out a routine probation check pertaining to an earlier possession case faced by Redmond found methamphetamines on Redmond’s person and in the bedroom of Ryan’s Malibu, California home.   Both men pleaded guilty in court to possession of methamphetamine.   Redmond was also charged with possessing drug paraphernalia and pepper spray.

 At the time of his arrest, O’Neal denied being a drug user.   His lawyer Mark Werksman had said on his behalf, ‘The drugs found in Ryan's bedroom were Redmond's. He had confiscated them from Redmond. He was trying to keep them away from his son.’

 The Oscar-nominated actor was advised that the charge would be wiped from his record if he successfully completed the program on the condition that he didn’t possess any controlled substances or associate with any known drug users outside of his family.

 Following the sentence, Werksman told People.com, ‘Ryan was anxious to move on with his life with privacy and dignity and that's what we're trying to do here today.’

 O’Neal’s son, Redmond, who had a history of drug abuse was due back in court on 20^th February 2009 to face the same charge plus a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.   The 23-year-old was put on probation for three years in June 2008 after pleading guilty to possessing heroin and methamphetamine as well as driving under the influence.

 Ryan O'Neal was ordered return to court on 10th July 2009 for a progress report.   The actor was previously arrested in 2007 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm during an argument with his other son Griffin, 44.   The actor claimed he fired shots as a warning and the charges were dropped. [ADD]

2009

USA: 2009