Dell's "Steven" arrested in NY for marijuana
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Actor Benjamin Curtis, who plays the wise-cracking "Steven" in Dell Computer Corp's "Dude, yer gettin' a Dell" commercials, was arrested for marijuana possession, officials said on Monday.
Curtis, 22, was charged with criminal and unlawful possession of marijuana, two misdemeanor charges that carry possible jail sentences of up to three months.
However, at his arraignment Monday afternoon, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Ellen Coin adjourned the case for one year and said the charges could be dismissed if Curtis, who lives in New York City, gets in no trouble for the next 12 months.
Police had spotted Curtis on a street corner in Manhattan's Lower East Side holding a plastic bag filled with marijuana late Sunday evening, according to court papers filed in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The arresting officer said he saw another man, identified as 19-year-old Omar Mendez, give the bag of marijuana to Curtis for an undisclosed sum of money, according to the complaint.
It did not say how much marijuana was in the bag.
Neither Curtis, who appeared disheveled after his night in jail, nor his attorney would comment on the case after his release.
Dell, the No. 2 personal computer company which makes most of its money selling to businesses and schools, began television and print commercials featuring "Steven" three years ago, but lately had moved to a less "dude-centric" advertising campaign.
Venancio Figueroa, a spokesman for the Round Rock, Texas-based Dell said: "We really are not commenting as to Benjamin's future plans for the 'Steven' character."
"Steven" became a cult advertising figure not seen since the likes of Joe Isuzu and Clara Peller of Wendy's "Where's the beef?" fame. Inundated by calls from adoring fans, Dell even set up a Web site (http://www.dell4me.com/dude) and offered a line of "Dell Dude" apparel. |
