It's legal (and public relations) hell for actor Jeremy London.
The star of the WB's family-friendly drama 7th Heaven was arrested April 6 for marijuana possession, driving with a suspended license and vandalism, after cops were called to the scene of a roadside argument between London and his girlfriend.
Apparently, London had lost his license for driving under the influence and was illegally behind the wheel. Police discovered the infraction when concerned motorists called them to intervene in the fight in Orange County, California.
Upon their arrival at the scene, authorities found that Heaven's Chandler Hampton, assistant pastor, was driving illegally and carrying less than an ounce of pot. They also suspected him of vandalizing his girlfriend's cell phone.
According to California prosecutor Susan Schroeder, London is facing a May 6 arraignment on the charges. He is currently free on bail.
No word on what the legal snafu means for the actor's 7th Heaven future--calls to his agent and the show's publicist were not immediately returned.
But fans of the wholesome series are demonstrating an unholy anger at the actor's un-reverend-like behavior. In fact, several took to the WB's message boards calling for his expulsion from the show.
"It's time to drop the Chandler character. Jeremy killed it with his off-screen behavior," wrote one irate viewer. Ditto this Web poster, who wrote, "I'd rather have a more wholesome actor playing Rev. Chandler. J. London has too many flaws in real life."
London's good guy-bad guy image problems had another Web surfer ranting, "He needs to grow up in real life before tackling character roles helping other to get real." But at least one fan felt for the actor, "I hope he will be okay. I hope he does not do any thing dumb like get kicked off the show for this."
London, who also starred as a bad boy on the Fox series Party of Five, isn't the first 7th Heaven star to display unwholesome tendencies, however. Jessica Biel, who stars as Mary Camden, got herself in hot water in 2000 when she posed for a racy cover of Gear magazine and threw barbs at the family-friendly show and its stars.
She also incurred the wrath of angry viewers, as well as ire of producer Aaron Spelling. She eventually took a leave from the show and currently just makes periodic cameos.