National Football League

DE not charged for alleged crotch grab

Published Feb. 1, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office Tuesday opted not to file felony charges against Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, who was arrested and hit with a Taser by LA police Monday after allegedly grabbing the crotch of an officer during a routine traffic stop.

The former USC standout was booked on suspicion of felony battery following the incident, which occurred near the campus about 4 p.m. local time.

He was released early Tuesday after posting $50,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court later this month.

Prosecutors Tuesday said that because the officer was not injured and that the player did not have a criminal record, they would refer the case to the LA attorney's office for a possible misdemeanor filing, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Citing a source, the Times reported that on Monday the officers asked for Griffen's license -- which turned out to be invalid -- and he told them he "did not want to go back to jail."

He then attempted to run from the officers, but did not get far before being captured.

The source said Griffen tried to grab one of the officers in the groin area, before they hit him with a Taser.

Los Angeles police also confirmed that Griffen had only been arrested in Hollywood on Friday night for being drunk in public. He was released the following day.

The 23-year-old was also cited by police for a noise violation in Nantucket, Mass., in 2009, but the prosecutors did not reference either incident.

Griffen was drafted by the Vikings last April in the fourth round after concerns about his character forced many teams to pass on him. He played mostly on special teams in 11 games in 2010.