'WEST WING' CREATOR SORKIN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE

LOS ANGELES -- Aaron Sorkin, the Emmy-winning creator and executive
producer of NBC's "The West Wing," was arrested on a drug possession charge
Sunday at Burbank Airport, authorities said Monday.

Sorkin, 40, was taken into custody by airport police after security
personnel found a quantity of hallucinogenic mushrooms in his carry-on
baggage, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

The Web site of broadcast trade publication Electronic Media, which
revealed the incident, said Sorkin was attempting to catch a Southwest
Airlines flight from Burbank to Las Vegas when he was arrested.

Airport spokesman Gill said Sorkin was booked on a charge of possession of
a controlled substance and released three hours later on his own
recognizance after a $10,000 bail bond was posted.

Sorkin's publicist issued a brief statement confirming that the producer
had been arrested for alleged drug possession on Sunday at Burbank
Airport, in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank, and was released on bail.

"I am glad to be surrounded by such a supportive group of people and am
prepared to proceed as directed by my attorney and in the best interest of
my family," Sorkin said in the statement.

Sorkin is scheduled to be arraigned April 30, Gill said.

According to Electronic Media, Sorkin signed a four-year, $16 million
development deal at Warner Bros. Television in July.

Sorkin is the creator and an executive-producer of "The West Wing," the NBC
White House drama now in its second season that won an Emmy Award in
September for best drama series. He also shared an Emmy for writing on the
show.