Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland was arrested Monday afternoon (June 1) in Manhattan, N.Y., after the singer was allegedly found in possession of approximately $100 worth of heroin, according to a spokesperson for the New York Police Department. The singer, who was released on his own recognizance late Monday night, was arrested on New York's Avenue D on the Lower East Side at approximately 3 p.m. and was transported to Manhattan Criminal Court.

The arrest occurred while police were conducting one of their periodic sweeps of the Wald housing development. "He was picked up buying drugs in the Wald housing project," said Sgt. Cory Cuneo of the New York Police Department's public information office Monday evening. "Those areas are off-limits to people who don't live there or aren't visiting somebody." Cuneo said it was "reasonable" to say that the Wald housing project was well-known for its drug trade.

Late Monday, Weiland plead not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance and second degree criminal trespass, both of which carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine, according to Wayne Brison, a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Weiland is due back in court on July 31.

The singer's attorney, Robert Kalina, said Tuesday morning that Weiland was released on his own recognizance at 11 p.m. (EDT). "He's in New York somewhere now," Kalina added, although he would not discuss any conversations he had with the singer or describe Weiland's state of mind following his most recent arrest.

Due to the arrest, the 30-year-old singer, who has battled drug addiction in the past, was unable to perform at a sold-out concert appearance at New York's Irving Plaza scheduled for Monday night (June 1).

While the Irving Plaza show was canceled, Atlantic Records publicist Angelica Cob said Monday that it was unclear if any other shows on Weiland's tour would be canceled. "There's no comment right now," Cob said of the arrest.

Many of the lyrics on Weiland's recent solo album, 12 Bar Blues, such as those from the single"Barbarella" (RealAudio excerpt) that refer to being "so high that I can't fly," deal with the singer's past struggles with drug abuse.

Weiland was busted in 1995 for possession of a controlled substance and subsequently entered a rehabilitation facility. That stint was followed by another stay in rehab in April of that year following a relapse and yet another trip to rehab that same December, which again scotched STP's tour plans to support their 1996 album,Tiny Music ... Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop.

Frustration with Weiland's struggles with drug abuse and inability to tour was cited as a reason for the formation of Talk Show -- a side project put together by the other three members of STP, drummer Eric Kretz and brothers Dean (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass) -- who released one album with former Ten Inch Men singer Dave Coutts before breaking up Talk Show earlier this year.

As recently as this past Saturday, during an appearance at the Revenge of the Dysfunctional Family Picnic -- a concert sponsored by New York City modern-rock radio-station K-Rock at Jones Beach in Long Island, N.Y. --Weiland told SonicNet Music News that he would be reuniting with STP next year to record an album.

Whether it was as a result of Weiland's various substance abuse problems or his desire to pursue a solo career, STP -- the platinum-selling post-grunge rock band from San Diego -- had been in limbo since early 1997.

"We're gonna record an album together after the first of the year," Weiland said Saturday evening. "It's cool, as long as we go forward, musically and artistically, instead of going backward."

Balancing on black-leather platform shoes, the singer wore a well-tailored white suit, black shirt, red tie and wraparound shades with yellow lenses. As he spoke, Weiland, whose short hair was dyed bright red, occasionally tossed the Gatorade bottle he was holding from hand to hand. Despite his history of drug-related problems, at that time he appeared to be calm and healthy, if almost disturbingly thin.

In late April, the singer's tour drummer, former Redd Kross member Victor Indrizzo, told SonicNet Music News that he and Weiland have known each other "being sober and not sober. It does affect the music somewhat, it's easier to work when you're sober," Indrizzo said. "Even at times when either one of us were using he was still committed to working. He's doing what he can."

On Saturday, in response to a question about his role in Weiland's band, tour guitarist and renowned producer Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan) laughed knowingly and said, "I'm just trying to be a good example of generally good-natured human behavior."

Weiland said he was caught off-guard by the weak sales of 12 Bar Blues. "It is disappointing," the singer said. "I'm surprised that I haven't had support from radio stations that I've had good relationships with in the past. I mean, I think this album's full of songs with commercial potential. It's a little shocking, but you know, this is a record that I'm pleased with, and that's what matters."

Weiland recently kicked off his solo tour with a gig at the HFStival in Washington, D.C. The tour was originally scheduled to launch at a Free Tibet benefit in Atlanta on May 9. However that appearance was canceled because Weiland had just gotten out of rehab and didn't have time to rehearse his new band, according to Leslie Fram, program director for the Atlanta-based radio station 99X (WNNX-FM) that sponsored the show.

Additional reporting by Brian Hiatt.