Former Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr arrested in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — The original bassist for Alice In Chains was arrested Thursday in Salt Lake City for investigation of drug possession and on an outstanding warrant from 2003 for failing to show up for sentencing on a separate drug-related conviction.

Mike Starr, 44, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

The alternative rocker and reality TV personality was arrested Thursday by Salt Lake police. Starr was the passenger in a van that was pulled over on a routine traffic violation near 1200 S. State about 12:30 a.m., said Salt Lake police detective Dennis McGowan.

The vehicle was driven by Travis Meeks of the rock band Days of the New. He was issued a citation for driving on a suspended license and then released.

Starr, who was sitting in the passenger seat, told the officer, "Hey officer, have you heard of Alice in Chains? I used to be the bass guitarist for them. We are down here in Utah, me and Travis, putting together a new band," a Salt Lake police report states.

According to jail documents, Starr was illegally in possession of prescription medication, including the painkiller Opana, also known as oxymorphone, and alprazalam pills, used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.

In addition, the officer found Starr had a warrant out for his arrest. According to Utah court records, Starr was convicted in 3rd District Court in 2003 of felony drug possession. But a bench warrant was issued on Aug. 25, 2003 when he failed to appear for sentencing.

Another Salt Lake police report obtained by the Deseret News showed that in 2003, Starr and his father, John Starr, were arrested for allegedly doing drugs on a Southwest flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. John Starr said he was taking his son to drug rehab in Seattle at the time, the report states.

John Starr was witnessed injecting Mike Starr with a syringe, and the two began arguing after the needle broke off, according to the report.

Mike Starr was seen going to the plane bathroom for 15 to 20 minutes. When he returned, he handed John Starr something, and "John then turned towards the window with a cut up coke can and a lighter," the report states.

The two were arrested as they stepped off the plane. Investigators found the Starrs to be in possession of a syringe and balloons filled with heroin, according to police records.

In Michael Starr's pockets, police said they found Valium, Zanax, diazepam and Celexa.

When they checked the Starrs' luggage, they found drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs including ceicia. Michael Starr claimed his father forced him to shoot up in the plane, according to the report.

Starr was the bass player for Seattle rockers Alice in Chains from their formation in 1987 to 1993, when he left the band.

Despite having a warrant out for his arrest, Starr wasn't exactly in hiding. In 2010, Starr was in VH1's Celebrity Rehab program for heroin addiction. During the show's taping, he said he had been kicked out of Alice In Chains for drug abuse.

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