CSI star pleads guilty to drug possession charges
Thursday, 29 May 2008 08:42
CSI star Gary Dourdan pleads guilty to cocaine and ecstasy possession
Actor Gary Dourdan has pleaded guilty to charges of cocaine and ecstasy possession having been arrested last month.
The CSI star was arrested in Palm Springs, California, on April 28th after being discovered asleep at the wheel of a parked car and was detained when officers found narcotics.
Though he had been charged earlier this month with felony drug possession having reportedly been found with heroin, as well as cocaine and ecstasy, the heroin charge was dismissed at Wednesday's hearing in Indio, California.
His lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley said the actor has been given "diversion" or a drug treatment programme which he must complete for all charges to be dismissed.
"He very much regrets what happened and he's very embarrassed by what occurred, but he's looking forward to moving on and getting back to work," he told reporters.
"He is very grateful to the court for being understanding and giving him an opportunity to resolve the issue and move forward."
While the guilty plea sees Dourdan avoiding possible jail time, he will instead be required to complete a 16-class treatment programme.
The 41-year-old actor had said he was "obviously... embarrassed" at the arrest.
"I am profoundly grateful to everyone for their support," he added in a statement.
Having made his name in Cosby Show spin-off A Different World, Dourdan won the part of forensics expert Warrick Brown on CSI, CBS' Emmy award-winning crime show.
His character is scheduled to leave the show at the end of the eighth season.