Vikings' Griffen won't face felony charges

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen won't face felony charges in an alleged altercation with police, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office announced that only misdemeanor counts would be considered against Griffen, who allegedly grabbed the crotch of an officer during a tussle that ended with police using a stun gun on the player, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office, told the newspaper that because the officer wasn't injured and Griffen had no criminal history, the former University of Southern California standout wouldn't face more serious charges.

She said Griffen was released from jail early Tuesday after posting $50,000 bail and was scheduled to make his first court appearance Feb. 25.

Los Angeles Police confirmed Griffen had also been arrested early Saturday in Hollywood on charges of public drunkenness and was released later that day.

The Los Angeles Times reported that officers asked Griffen for his license during a routine traffic stop Monday, and police said the license turned out not to be valid.

Officers said Griffen told them "he did not want to go back to jail" and ran away, with police giving chase. When they tried to subdue him, Griffen allegedly grabbed an officer in the groin area and a Taser was used to subdue him.