*Ryan O'Neal pleads guilty to felony meth possession

*Updated at 2:15 p.m.

Ryan O’Neal pleaded guilty this morning in a Malibu courtroom to felony possession of methamphetamine, but the charge will be wiped from his record if he completes a court-approved drug diversion program.

The “Love Story” actor must undergo 18 months of treatment and counseling to earn the dismissal, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

He was arrested Sept. 17 at his Malibu home after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies conducting a probation search on his son, Redmond, found drugs in the actor’s bedroom.

Redmond O’Neal, whose mother is Farrah Fawcett, also was charged with drug possession. At the time of his arrest, the 23-year-old was on probation for felony possession of heroin and methamphetamine and misdemeanor driving under the influence. He is due in court next month.

--Harriet Ryan

Update: L.A. district attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison said the narcotics were found inside Ryan O'Neal's shoes in his bedroom.

Photo credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Comments

[Allie]

Its so sad when anyone gets involved with drugs..perhaps somethings missing in their lives besides having been rich..spiriutally speaking...life goes on and can be very hard to understand when we lose the ones we love so dear. Find a friend who can stand by you through the good and bad times and that I have found through my friends. We are there for each other. Riches in this world does not buy happiness.....happiness can be found in many things..Creation testifies to it!!

[callie]

Ages ago, Barbara Walters interviewed Farrah while she was pregnant. Farrah could barely answer the questions and it makes me wonder if her drug abuse started prior to having the kid. If so, their son never stood a chance.
O'Neal should go to prison.

[Stephen]

Ryan has always been a mess. Why Farrah ever dated this jerk is beyond me.
She deserves better. How selfish of Ryan and her son Redmond. They care more about the drugs then helping Farrah deal with her cancer.

Farrah, as hard as it may, deal with yourself and your health. Your son is a grown man. It's time he acted like one and started taking some responsibility for his own actions....Run far away from Ryan as possilble

[Theo Sing]

Because he is an actor and a public figure he is not allowed have "problems?" Mmmmm.......the only reason this is news is because of who he is. How many drug users that we never hear about are involved in similiar situations or worse?
Peyton Place...How long ago was that? Ryan O'Neil has done numerous films, tv, among other money making ventures since Peyton Place. Get well..

[jack straw]

His son is on probation, and the meth was found during a probation search of their home. Sounds to me like the son was hiding his stash in his dad's bedroom in hopes that it wouldn't be found in the inevitable probation search, and dad took the rap so sonny-boy wouldn't be spending some serious time in prison.

[Stonewall]

"Now will you join, sir, and take the bounty -- or will you be given up?"

"I volunteer."

[Phil Peterson]

I do miss Ryan on the old Payton Place episodes. And what has Ryan done since then? Where does he get the money to live in Malibu without working? How does he sustain his lifestyle? Where did he get the money to do drugs? My hemmoroids get red hot with irritation when I read about uncelebrities like him.

[scott]

geeze, maybe the kid was just keeping his stash in the old mans bedroom.

[mikal d]

Both Ryan and his son have attacked each when they've been on a binge....
Ryan came after his son w/ a lamp and his son responded by using a tire iron
These guys are ticking time bombs......where was Farrah Fawcett?
She should settle this thing by putting them both in a cage match.....she could call it
Malibu Father vs Son.....rich junkies battling it out for family dominance.

[Steve Bashekis]

Right Mendy! Everyone knows low income people never use drugs.

[H K]

THIS IS NOT NEWS

[thin2win]

Here's hoping that both father and son get a bit of clarity and want to stop using. And here's hoping that the "moderator" of this forum wakes up and gets back to work. Chicagopearl needs a timeout.

[Gravito Nori]

"He gets high with his own son? He should be publicly castrated & I don't care how old he is. Freakin' jerk."

What? Who said that? Please point out what part of the article says he gets high with his son. You are an idiot.

He has problems and is getting help. You all need to get help! and a life. I can beat everyone here in an arm wrestling match.

Thanks,
Gn0r33

[2nd Chance]

Drug use is the dark side of our consumer culture.

Perhaps O'Neal will use this opportunity to change his life and be a good example to his family.

[Will Rogers democrat]

Having a sibling completely lost to mental illness as well as methamphetamine, this story has a subtext which it might not have for others: While I wish Mr. O'Neil and his son all the best in their attempts to clean up their lives; it is the advantaged wealthy who seldom ever succeed in such efforts. Moreover, given that this was not their first brush with drugs and/or the law; the O'Neils have received a form of justice seldom afforded to the average citizen. We can only hope they realize it.

[Christine B]

"He gets high with his own son? He should be publicly castrated" // Oh, but if he guzzled bourbon with his kid, that would be okay? Alcohol is one of the deadliest drugs there is in terms of direct health effects, not to mention the violence and accidents associated with its use. So let's not get all hypocritical here.

[kv]

Ryan O' Neal is a nightmare as a parent and has dragged all of his children through hell due to his own horrifying dysfunctional behavior through the years...shame on him.

[dennis]

People who have everything materialistically speaking, are still lacking brains to stay off of drugs.

[chicagopearl]

He gets high with his own son? He should be publicly castrated & I don't care how old he is. Freakin' jerk.

[Mendy Spencer]

There should be a salary cap for all successful actors. If such a regulation was put into place, you would see a dramatic decrease in irresponsible behavior by the so-called, rich and famous. It just shows you what happens to people who have too much money and too much free time.

[Phil]

A family that tweaks together......................

[billyjoe]

Love is never having to say "Im guilty."