Alicia Silverstone and her brother pictured in 2005. (Getty)
The brother of 1990s starlet Alicia Silverstone was arrested on Friday at a California pot farm around the same time accused deserter Bowe Bergdahl was questioned by officers at the same scene. Authorities in Mendocino County, California, are accusing David Silverstone, 43, of growing marijuana with a license at a farm in Redwood Valley. Although weed growing is technically legal in California, it is severely regulated.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Bowe Bergdahl Allegedly Told Cops at the Scene That He Didn’t Smoke Pot
A sign in a store window of Bergdhal’s Idaho hometown after his release. (Getty)
Accused deserter Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was on a ranch in Redwood Valley, California, when it was raided by local officers. Two men were arrested at the scene, including David Silverstone. He lives on the farm next to the ranch that was raided. Ukiah Sheriff Tom Allman told the Daily Mail that Bergdahl told officers that he “didn’t smoke any pot.” Bergdahl has previously been accused of being high on hashish when he was captured by the Taliban in June 2009. The army sergeant was freed in exchange for five Taliban operatives in May 2014. Authorities haven’t confirmed if Silverstone and Bergdahl know each other.
2. Over 180 Weed Plants Were Seized Close to David Silverstone’s Home
(Facebook)
From the ranch that neighbors Silverstone’s home, cops took 181 marijuana plants as evidence. Speaking to members of the media Sheriff Allman said that it’s “fair” to assume that Silverstone knew that his neighbors were growing pot. Alicia’s brother is accused of two felony counts of cultivating and processing marijuana and having possession of marijuana for sale. His bail was put at $25,000. The investigation was carried out by the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force.
3. While His Sister Was Starring in the Mega-Hit ‘Clueless,’ David Was Working on a ‘Lesbian Sex Thriller’
(Screenshot via IMDB)
According to his profile on IMDB, Silverstone has worked in the art department and in props for several movies. Most notably, he worked as the set decorator on the lesbian-sex thriller Sinful Intrigue. The solitary review on IMDB says it’s “certainly not something you should pay to watch.”
4. Like His Sister, David Silverstone Is an Environmentalist
(Facebook)
Since her acting career cooled in the 2000s, Alicia Silverstone has dedicated most her life to preaching about healthy living with her books The Kind Diet, The Kind Mama, and her blog The Kind Life. On his Facebook page, David Silverstone frequently posts photos of fresh, organic vegetables while encouraging people to eat more healthily. In 2013, he gave a five star review to Holistic Body Therapy. The Silverstone’s half-sister, Kezi, is also a vegan cook who preaches healthy eating on her website.
5. David & Alicia Silverstone Were Raised in a ‘Traditional Jewish Household’
(Getty)
In a 2000 interview, Alicia Silverstone described her and her brother’s upbringing as taking place in a “traditional Jewish household” in Redwood City. The actress added that the family were upper middle-class. Their father, Monty, was Jewish, and their mother, Didi, was Scottish. She converted to judaism before her marriage. Both and David and Alicia used to accompany their elderly grandfather, Sidney, to temple.