Tatum O'Neal Faces Drug Charges

Police say Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal has been arrested after allegedly buying crack cocaine near her home in Manhattan.

Police say the 44-year-old actress was seen making the illicit purchase at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. She is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

She was released without bail after spending Monday morning at Central Booking in Lower Manhattan.

O'Neal, 44, was arrested around 7:30 p.m. at her Clinton Street home where police said they found bags of cocaine and crack in her possession. Arrested with her was 33-year-old Alan Garcia, who is believed to be the possible dealer, reports WCBS.

O'Neal looked tired and did not speak as she was arraigned Monday in Manhattan Criminal Court on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Afterward, her lawyer whisked her into a waiting car.

The DA's office is recommending O'Neal receive drug treatment.

Published reports said the actress initially told police she was doing research for an upcoming role, and that she pleaded to be let off the hook when the drugs were discovered.

O'Neal, daughter of actor Ryan O'Neal, appears regularly on the cable television series "Rescue Me" and was a "Dancing With The Stars" contestant last year. She was the youngest person to win an Oscar for her role in 1973's "Paper Moon."

She chronicled her struggles with addiction in her memoir, "A Paper Life."

Police could not say whether she had an attorney. Messages left for a publicist were not returned early Monday.