Ryan, Redmond O'Neal Hit With Felony Drug Charge

Actor and son Redmond O'Neal facing felony and misdemeanor drug charges for Sept. 17 arrest at Ryan's home

By Natalie Finn Oct 15, 2008 10:29 PMTags
Ryan O'Neal, Redmond O'NealL.A. County Sheriff's Dept

It's love that means never having to say you're sorry—not drug busts.

Ryan O'Neal, 67, and his son Redmond, 23, were charged with felony drug possession Wednesday stemming from their Sept. 17 arrest at the elder O'Neal's Malibu home.

During what was characterized as a routine probation checkup related to Redmond's previous drug-related offenses, police allegedly found the young man to be in possession of what was later confirmed to be methamphetamine. Officers also allegedly uncovered a vial of the stuff in Ryan's bedroom.

Each O'Neal is facing one count of felony possession of a controlled substance, as well as two misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of illegal possession of pepper spray.

Arraignment has been scheduled for Nov. 13 in Malibu.

"I have full confidence that Ryan will be vindicated," attorney Mark Werksman said the day after his client's arrest. "Those were not Ryan's drugs, he doesn't use drugs, and has nothing to do with them. It's a dangerous assumption for deputies to have arrested Ryan just because he was in proximity to the drugs."

Meanwhile, Redmond told reporters that the incident was a "major misunderstanding."

On Oct. 8, a judge ordered Redmond, who has struggled with heroin abuse in the past, into a two-week rehab program after he admitted to having a drug relapse.