New York Times June 1983 Gene Anthony Ray

 

Drug Sweep Nets Relatives of Actor

Published: June 23, 1983

The mother, a grandmother and other relatives of a star of the television program ''Fame'' were among 14 people arrested over two days in Harlem and the Bronx and charged with peddling heroin and cocaine, a Federal spokesman said yesterday.

 Jean Ray, 43-year-old mother of the actor, Gene Anthony Ray, was among a dozen suspects picked up Tuesday night by narcotics agents, according to Andrew Pucher, a spokesman for the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. Mrs. Ray was arrested at a bar at Eighth Avenue and 151st Street.

Mr. Ray, who was in the movie ''Fame'' and the recently canceled TV series, was not involved in the 10-month investigation that preceded the arrests, Mr. Pucher said.

Mr. Ray's grandmother, Viola (Lilly) Ward, 66, had six ounces of cocaine and a .38-caliber pistol when she was arrested at her home at 270 West 153d Street, Mr. Pucher said.