Adult performer Drake Von has reportedly been arrested for the third time in less than two months, this time over the alleged possession of a toxic substance in Los Angeles.
Von, whose legal name is Dawson Bacon, was taken into custody by Los Angeles police on Tuesday, 28 July, and booked at the LAPD’s Van Nuys jail.
Police told TMZ that officers responded to a report of two men allegedly using narcotics on a street. Von was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanour possession of a substance with toxic qualities similar to toluene, while the second person was not taken into custody.
He was released on his own recognisance the following day.
What Does the California Charge Mean?
Toluene is a colourless solvent found in products including paint thinner, glue and some fuels. Exposure to high concentrations can cause dizziness, confusion and other serious health effects.
Under California Penal Code Section 381, it is a misdemeanour to possess toluene—or another substance deemed to have similar toxic qualities—with the intention of inhaling or ingesting it to become intoxicated or alter the senses.
The law does not make every instance of possessing a product containing toluene illegal. Prosecutors would need to establish the circumstances required by the statute, including the alleged intention to use the substance for intoxication.
Von has not publicly responded to the latest arrest, and the allegation has not been proven in court.
DUI Charge Followed Las Vegas Crash
The Los Angeles arrest comes after Von was charged with one count of misdemeanour driving under the influence in Las Vegas in June.
Police records cited by TMZ said Von was involved in a collision with another vehicle on Saturday, 20 June. Photographs published after the incident appeared to show substantial damage to the passenger side of his car.
Officers allegedly found multiple nitrous oxide tanks inside the vehicle. Von told police he had not consumed alcohol or drugs before driving and said his most recent use of nitrous oxide had occurred about a month earlier.
An officer reported that Von appeared to have glossy eyes when police spoke with him at a hospital following the crash. Those observations remain allegations contained in the police account and have not been tested at trial.
Domestic-Violence Case Remains Unresolved
Earlier that month, on 2 June, Von was arrested in Las Vegas following an alleged physical altercation with his partner.
Court records cited by multiple outlets listed allegations of felony domestic battery by strangulation, felony coercion constituting domestic violence involving the threat or use of physical force, and misdemeanour domestic battery.
According to a police report obtained by Out, Von’s partner alleged that an argument escalated when he grabbed her by the throat, forced her to the ground and applied pressure until she struggled to breathe and believed she had lost consciousness.
Police reportedly documented redness around her neck, a bruise above an eyebrow and a scratch on her hand. Von declined to answer officers’ questions and requested a lawyer.
Von later rejected the account and characterised the incident as a promotional exercise.
“I’m very good mentally. This was all a publicity stunt,” he told Out.
He also claimed that the charges “will be dropped and [the] case dismissed”.
No dismissal was identified in the publicly available reporting reviewed for this article. Von is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the domestic-violence allegations remain unresolved unless and until they are determined in court.
Social-Media Post Followed Release
Two days after the domestic-violence arrest, Von shared a shirtless mirror photograph on Instagram.
“Feeling good,” he wrote alongside a woozy-face emoji.
The post appeared to reassure followers that he had been released and was doing well, although it did not address the detailed allegations in the police report.
Von’s three arrests concern separate alleged incidents in Nevada and California. An arrest or criminal charge does not establish guilt, and the eventual outcomes of the cases will depend on prosecutors, defence lawyers and the courts.
