Two months after he was arrested in Los Gatos, California on suspicion of domestic violence and having an assault rifle, Santa Clara County prosecutors have filed multiple felony charges against San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Reuben Foster, authorities announced Thursday.
Here’s more from NFL.com:
Foster is facing multiple felonies — domestic violence with an allegation that he inflicted great bodily harm; forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime; and possession of an assault weapon. He’s also been charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of a large capacity weapon magazine.
If convicted on all charges, Foster, 24, faces the possibility of more than 11 years in prison.
His arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT Thursday. Foster was arrested by police on Feb. 11 after he allegedly attacked a 28-year-old woman at their Los Gatos, California, home. The victim told police that Foster dragged her by her hair, physically threw her out of the house and punched her in the head eight to 10 times, according to DA’s office. The victim was treated at a hospital for multiple injuries, including a ruptured ear drum, prosecutors said.
Upon searching the residence, police found a weapon — a Sig Sauer 516 — and a high-capacity magazine; both are illegal to possess in California.
“Our focus is on holding accountable those who hurt their intimate partners,” Santa Clara Deputy District Attorney Kevin Smith said in a statement. “Our office handles between four and five thousand domestic violence cases each year. We only hope that this case illuminates the tragic regularity of the rest.”
In addition to the criminal charges, Foster is subject to potential NFL discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy, which mandates a six-game suspension for a first-time domestic violence offense.
“We continue to monitor all developments in this matter which is under review of the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.
Unfortunately the NFL off-season has become a time to check the police blotter. Let’s hope each team takes it upon themselves to determine who they want working for them.
