Tony Soprano Jr. Actor Arrested
July 5 -- It might seem like an episode of The Sopranos.
But 16-year-old Robert Iler, who plays Tony Soprano's troubled son Anthony "A.J." Soprano Jr., was arrested early Wednesday in New York and charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of marijuana possession. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Wednesday evening and was released on $2,500 bail.
Sources told ABCNEWS.com that Iler told police he was not involved in the robbery. The sources said they did not know what, if anything, he said about the drug charge.
In a statement released today, Iler denied the robbery charge and apologized to his family and friends.
"I feel terribly embarrassed," Iler said. "I never, ever would or did rob anybody in my life. I know that the events of the past two days have been extremelydifficult for my family and friends, and for that I am deeplysorry."
If convicted of the robbery charges, Iler would face up to 15 years in prison.
Iler's attorney disputes the allegations against his young client.
"My client didn't threaten anybody, my client didn't hearanybody threaten anybody, my client didn't hear anyone ask formoney," said attorney Steven Mintz. "Robert didn't hear anybody or see anybodyreceive money. And he only learned what had happened much laterwhen he was picked up."
$40, Marijuana — and a World of Trouble
Police said Iler and three others confronted two other teenagers after midnight in a park on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and demanded money. Police said the suspects claimed to have a weapon, but did not produce one. The teens allegedly gave Iler and his companions $40, sources said.
The alleged victims then reported the incident to police and identified Iler and his companions, Alban Selimaj, 16, Michael Cournede, 19, and a 15-year-old male, police said. Police said they found a pipe and a small amount of marijuana on Iler and a box cutter on Cournede.
All four were charged with robbery, and Cournede faces a criminal weapons possession charge for the box cutter. The 15-year-old, whose name was being withheld because of his age, was released to his parents.
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