Drug Case Against Robert Downey Jr.'s Son Dismissed

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - A drug case was dismissed Tuesday against actor Robert Downey Jr.'s 22-year-old son, who completed an 18-month drug program.

"He was a very enthusiastic participant in the program," Deputy District Attorney David Berger said of Indio Falconer Downey, who appeared with his father in the 2005 film "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang."

The cocaine possession charge stemmed from the younger Downey's June 2014 arrest near La Cienega and Santa Monica boulevards in West Hollywood. He was released on bond the next day, and subsequently entered a drug program.

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His father, whose film credits include "The Avengers" and "Iron Man," had his own history of drug problems and troubles with the law. He served two stints behind bars before entering a drug treatment program and emerging sober in 2002.

The actor issued a statement after his son's arrest, saying, "Unfortunately, there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it."

"Also, there is a lot of family support and understanding, and we're all determined to rally behind him and help him become the man he's capable of being," he aid. "We're grateful to the Sheriff's Department for their intervention, and believe Indio can be another recovery success story instead of a cautionary tale."

Last December, California Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned the actor for his convictions in the mid-1990s for possession of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle with a prior conviction, driving under the influence with priors and use or under the influence of a controlled substance.

The governor noted in the pardon that since the actor's release from custody, he's "lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen."

--City News Service