Ryan O'Neal pleads guilty to drug charge

MALIBU, Calif., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Film star Ryan O'Neal pleaded guilty to felony drug possession in a Malibu, Calif., courtroom Friday, People.com said.

O'Neal, 67, is best known for his roles in the movies "Love Story" and "Paper Moon."

The charge stemmed from a Sept. 17 incident in which the actor and his 23-year-old son, Redmond, were arrested at their Malibu home by police who said they found methamphetamines in the house while conducting a probation visit in connection with a previous drug case involving Redmond.

People.com said Ryan O'Neal replied "guilty" when asked for his plea Friday. The report also said he agreed to enter an 18-month drug deferment program and that if he successfully completes it, the case against him will be dropped.

"Ryan was anxious to move on with his life with privacy and dignity and that's what we're trying to do here today," the actor's attorney, Mark Werksman, told the magazine.

The lawyer has previously denied his client uses drugs and claimed in the past that the drugs police found in his house belonged to his son.

Redmond is O'Neal's son by his former longtime girlfriend, actress Farrah Fawcett.