Artie Bucco In Hot Soup

MAY 2--In the latest arrest of a "Sopranos" cast member, the actor who portrays sad sack restaurateur Artie Bucco was nabbed yesterday for cocaine possession and drunk driving.

John Ventimiglia, 42, was popped on the misdemeanor counts after cops spotted his 2004 Volkswagen Jetta doing the weave at 12:45 AM near his Brooklyn home. After cops pulled over his car--which had its headlights out--Ventimiglia was observed "exhibiting signs of intoxication: to wit, slurred speech, red watery eyes, odor of alcoholic beverage on breath, and an unsteady gait," according to a criminal complaint.

A subsequent chemical test showed that Ventimiglia's blood alcohol content was .12, above the state's .08 maximum.

The actor was also hit with a drug count when a cop found a ziplock bag and a small envelope containing cocaine residue in his pants pocket.

With his arrest, Ventimiglia joins, among others, castmates Robert Iler, Tony Sirico, and Vincent Pastore on the "Sopranos" docket sheet. (2 pages)