Robert Downey Jr\u2019s son Indio pleaded guilty to drugs charges in court today – but was encouraged to stay clean by a judge, who said he\u2019s in an unusual situation because he\u2019s \u2018connected\u2019 to Iron Man.\nIndio Downey, 21, appeared in court – supported by his actor father – after being charged with felony drug possession in June.
\nHe pleaded guilty to felony cocaine possession, but the judge said the conviction can be wiped clean as long as he stays clean for 18 months and finishes his rehab program.
\nHe was arrested for cocaine possession in West Hollywood, after reportedly being spotted smoking something out of a pipe in a vehicle he was a passenger in by police. When stopped, officers found cocaine.
\nThe Hollywood actor\u2019s eldest child has also been charged with misdemeanour possession of drug paraphernalia, according to gossip website TMZ.com.
\nDowney voluntarily checked himself into rehab two months ago, and speaking to the youngster, Judge Keith Schwartz said: \u201cYou are doing an excellent job so I\u2019m glad to hear that.\u201d
\nHe added: \u201cIts a 24-7 disease, it can crop up at any time,\u201d and asking if he can cope with that, Downey replied: \u201cYes sir.\u201d
\nBut bizarrely, the judge then encouraged Downey to beat drugs, by saying: \u201cI know in life people always look up to superheros, but I think you might have contact or an inside as to one superhero – that\u2019s Ironman.\u201d
\nHe then urged the star\u2019s son to make new friends who would be a better influence on him, saying: \u201cThats a lifestyle change you have to make, you have to find new friends, friends who are concerned about your lifestyle, your health.\u201d
\nAs Downey is a first time offender, he was automatically entitled to a drug diversion program.
\nRobert, who previously battled drug addiction himself and was arrested numerous times in the 1990s on drug-related charges, thanked the LA County Sheriff\u2019s Department for \u201ctheir intervention\u201d at the time of his son\u2019s arrest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"