William Hilton Paul, the 19-year-old son of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and grandson of former Texas congressman Ron Paul, was taken into police custody yesterday at North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport for public intoxication following a Saturday morning flight from Kentucky.

It was unclear whether Paul had been served alcohol on the flight, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department rep Lt. Blake Hollar said that possibility was being investigated.

Paul identified himself as the son of a US senator, but was arrested anyway. He was booked into Mecklenburg County Jail on charges of underage consumption, disorderly conduct, and being intoxicated and disruptive.

All three are misdemeanors.

Rand Paul's office has since released the following statement:

Sen. Paul is a national public figure and subject to scrutiny in the public arena, however, as many parents with teenagers would understand, his family should be afforded the privacy and respect they deserve in a situation such as this.

Sen. Paul, a Tea Party politician who is still in his first term, recently suggested that he was mulling a run for president in 2016.

His son, meanwhile, was released from jail after posting a $750 bond.

[mug shot via Charlotte Observer]