The son of actor Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas could face life in prison for selling large amounts of an illegal drug over a three-year period before his arrest late last month, court records show.

Cameron Douglas, 30, a sometimes actor who appeared with his father and grandfather Kirk Douglas in "It Runs in the Family," is accused of selling tens of thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine, according to a complaint unsealed this week.

Douglas was arrested at a Manhattan hotel on July 28, and had charges against him read in Manhattan federal court the next day, but news of his arrest surfaced only Wednesday.

Rebecca Carmichael, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan, would not comment on whether Douglas had applied for, or been granted, bail.

Douglas faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum period of life for two counts of possessing and distributing forms of methamphetamine known by the street names of "crystal meth" and "Ice," which is smoked in a pipe.

Douglas received large quantities of crystal meth in California then sent them to New York via FedEx between 2006 and 2009. He worked with accomplices who are cooperating with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the complaint said.

In several different recorded phone calls Douglas referred to the drugs as "pastry" and "salts," the complaint said.

One of his attorney's, Allison Menkes, declined comment.

A spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration also declined comment. A next court date has not been set.

Douglas was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine in 2007 in Santa Barbara, California.