Robert Downey Jr. Admits His Son’s Drug Problem Stems From Him

Robert Downey Jr.’s son Indio, aged 20, was arrested on Sunday afternoon in L.A. on suspicion of possessing cocaine.

According to law enforcement officers, Indio Falconer Downey was arrested and taken into custody after a car in which he was riding shotgun was pulled over in West Hollywood. Sheriff’s Sergeant Dave Valentine said Downey was charged on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Apparently he was seen taking a hit from a nondescript pipe by a police officer on patrol while the vehicle was waiting at a traffic stop at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Cienega.

Downey’s bail was set at $10,000 and the young actor was released from jail at around 12:30 a.m. Monday morning.

It is well known that his father, the actor, Robert Downey Jr., has been in trouble with law enforcement before over drugs, having struggled with various addictions for many years. He was in rehab and jail a number of times during the 1990’s, but today he claims he has been totally clean since 2003.

Robert Downey Jr. released an official statement to ET when he found out about his son’s arrest. In the statement he seems to hint at the fact that his son’s issues with drugs may be down to him, as he believes addiction is hereditary:

“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. 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.”

The court hearing for Robert Downey Jr.’s son, Indio, has been set for August 29. But he is not likely to use the defense of “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”