NAMES IN THE NEWS : Sly Stone in Santa Monica Jail

Soul star Sly Stone is being held without bail in Santa Monica today in connection with felony drug possession charges after being arrested in Connecticut earlier this month.

Stone, 45, whose real name is Sylvester Stewart, had been living under an assumed name in Connecticut and New Jersey after missing scheduled court dates in 1987 in California, where he was wanted on two cocaine-related cases and one misdemeanor drug case.

He surrendered to authorities in Bridgeport, Conn., and waived extradition on an unlawful flight charge. He was ordered jailed in Santa Monica on Monday.

Stone is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to face felony drug charges in another case. His attorney, Harland Braun, said he will ask a judge to consolidate the two cases and to settle them as soon as possible.

Stone was the leader of Sly and the Family Stone, a popular soul group of the ‘60s and ‘70s.