Robert Downey Jr. Son Indio Arrested On Drug Charges

On Sunday, June 29, Robert Downey’s son Indio was arrested on felony drug charges. Will he follow his dad’s footsteps?

Robert Downey, Jr., ‘s son is following in his footsteps. Indio Falconer Downey, 20, was arrested on Sunday, June 29, on felony drug charges.

“Robert Downey Jr.’s Son Indio Arrested for Cocaine Possession, Actor Releases Statement” by Us Weekly‘s Madeline Boardman notes the actor’s son was charged with a felony cocaine possession after being pulled over by officers. 

.@RobertDowneyJr son Indio arrested for drug possession in L.A.: http://t.co/2u7pLutxeS Star issues a statement pic.twitter.com/EvspgQNiRr— Yahoo (@Yahoo) June 30, 2014

TMZ reports the car was initially stopped due to smoke from a pipe. The West Hollywood’s Sheriff’s Department confirms in a statement to Us Weekly. The car ”was stopped by a sheriff’s deputy because it appeared he was using narcotics paraphernalia to ingest.”

Two other passengers were in the car but information is sketchy on their arrests. Indio’s booking charge isn’t a mystery, though. “He was stopped, investigated and found to be in possession of that paraphernalia and a controlled substance believed to be cocaine.”

Indio’s cocaine possession strikes a chord with his father, Robert, after his own struggles with drug addiction. In an official statement to media outlets, the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang star reminds people “unfortunately there’s a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it.” 

Robert Downey Jr.’s son Indio was arrested for possession of cocaine –> http://t.co/H5QADFFw8C pic.twitter.com/EvfuG3OOUV— PopCrush (@PopCrush) June 30, 2014

The younger Downey was released Sunday night on a $10,000 bail. 

What will happen next? 

Marvel Studio’s Iron Man made it clear that his son will not be walking alone. “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.” 

After Downey, Jr.’s own addiction interfered with his film career and eventually landed him in jail, the 49-year-old hopes to prevent further incidents from happening.

“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.” 

At http://t.co/CHnL3vl4pk — Everybody praying for Indio Downey USE THE TAG: #staystrongdowney thank u for all… pic.twitter.com/Aam8FVyvco— Scenes from Rehab (@scenesfromrehab) June 30, 2014

In October 2010, the
Sherlock
actor admitted in
Playboy
‘s November issue that “not having done drugs for literally five or six years is a lifetime” for a recovering addict. The struggle doesn’t end because the drugs are no longer being taken. “I think of myself as someone who has no desire, use for or conscious memory of that life.”

But he very clearly points out, “I don’t shut the door on it, and I don’t pretend it didn’t happen.” Not forgetting means he’ll be able to help Indio as the 20-year-old fights his body’s need for a drug, for the brief euphoric sense of happiness. 

It’s Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Downey Jr. Jr.

…aka Indio Falconer Downey pic.twitter.com/wHUdZN5aS2— Salem (@mhsalemrobert) December 8, 2013

In the same interview, he mentions then 17-year-old Indio’s self-discipline being “about respect. It’s not even about self-respect; it’s about respect for life and all it offers.” Self-respect and self-discipline are integral to understanding triggers and with family support, Indio has the chance to find that balance again.

“You stay clean by taking “responsibility, whether you’re outraged by the results or not.” He describes to Rolling Stone
’s Walter Kirnhow “smoking dope and smoking coke” rendered him “defenseless” to the point “the only way out of that hopeless state is intervention.” 

Maybe Indio’s a one-off experience-but being an ex-con means Downey, Jr., knows how to watch for signs.

Sources: Us Weekly, Us Weekly, Rolling Stone