Robert Downey Jr. Pardoned For 90s Drug Offenses, Gets Clean Record

Robert Downey Jr. received a Christmas Eve pardon Thursday from Gov. Jerry Brown for his drug offenses in the 90s.

Robert Downey Jr. Pardoned

Brown issued a total of 91 pardons on Christmas Eve, and one happened to be for Downey, reported the Los Angeles Times. The Christmas Eve pardon has become a tradition, with men and women, who had served time for nonviolent crimes, receiving official pardon proclamations.

Downey had served a total of two years and eight months behind bars for his offenses. He had been sent to prison when he was convicted of felony drug possession after he was arrested in Los Angeles for having heroin, cocaine and a pistol in his car.

Downey’s pardon reads in part, “By completion of his sentence and good conduct in the community of his residence since his release, Robert John Downey, Jr. has paid his debt to society and earned a full and unconditional pardon.”

Brown issued 105 pardons in 2014, and 127 pardons in 2013.

While Downey has long been sober, his son, Indio Falconer Downey continues to struggle with his own addictions. The 21-year-old son of the Iron Man actor was arrested last June on suspicion of drug possession. At the time, Downey released a statement thanking the police.

“Unfortunately there’s a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it,” Downey’s statement read. “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.”

Downey added, “We’re grateful to the Sheriff’s department for their intervention, and believe Indio can be another recover success story instead of a cautionary tale.”