Gary Coleman Surrenders to Police, Is Booked in Connection With Alleged Assault
Former child television star Gary Coleman surrendered to Hawthorne police Friday and was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with a dispute with a woman over her purported dissatisfaction with an autograph.
Coleman, 30, accompanied by his lawyer, went to the Hawthorne Police Department at 2:30 p.m., about half an hour after a warrant was issued for his arrest. After being booked, Coleman was told to be in Inglewood Municipal Court on Aug. 25 to enter a plea. He was then released on his own recognizance.
If tried and convicted, he could face up to a year in county jail and be fined $1,000, authorities said.
The dispute occurred Thursday at a uniform shop on Hawthorne Boulevard. A witness said Coleman punched a woman in the eye after the two argued over an autograph.
Coleman, “discovered” at age 5 while modeling in an Illinois fashion show, debuted as Arnold Jackson on “Diff’rent Strokes” in 1978 at age 10. The diminutive performer remained on the show until it ended in 1986.
A Zion, Ill., native, he has been largely absent from show business in recent years.
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