Robert Iler from "The Sopranos" |
HOLLYWOOD - Sopranos actor Robert Iler, who plays the troubled son of mob boss Tony Soprano on the popular HBO series, will stand trial for robbery charges May 6, Reuters reports.The actor was arrested on July 3 after Iler, then 16, and his friends--Michael Cournede, 19, Alban Selimaj, 16 and a fourth suspect, 15--were accused of robbing two teens of $40 in Manhattan's Upper East Side.
According to police reports, Iler and his friends threatened the robbery victims, saying, "Give us your money. Do you wanna die?"
Iler was also charged with marijuana possession, which carries a maximum fine of $100, and Cournede was charged with possession of a box cutter.
At the time of his arraignment, Iler's legal team refused a plea bargain offer from prosecutors, so if convicted, Iler could face up to 15 years in jail.
Manhattan Superior Court Judge Bonnie Wittner said on Monday that she plans to try Iler and his friend Selimaj separately from the third defendant, Cournede. The fourth suspect will face charges in Family Court because of his age.
In a statement following his arrest, Iler said he felt embarrassed about the incident and was sorry for the difficulty it caused his family and friends.
Iler began acting at 6 years old, when he appeared in a Pizza Hut TV commercial. He made his first film, The Tic Code, at 10 years old.