Former Laker Matt Barnes accused of threatening police officer
Matt Barnes, a free-agent forward who spent the last two seasons with the Lakers, faces a felony charge of threatening a public official after being arrested Monday night, said Lt. Steve Tobias of the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Barnes, 32, was arrested in Manhattan Beach after an officer who was aware he had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor traffic violation approached him on foot, Tobias said. When the officer attempted to arrest Barnes, Tobias said, “Mr. Barnes did not cooperate and threatened” the officer.
Barnes posted $51,000 bail and was released late Monday. The outstanding warrant he faces was for driving on a suspended license, a misdemeanor violation for which Barnes owed $26,000.
An unrestricted free agent, Barnes is not expected to be back with the Lakers next season. He is scheduled to appear in Torrance Court on Oct. 1.
Barnes had another brush with the law in 2010, when he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence involving his then-girlfriend, but charges were never filed.
Last season, Barnes averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game with the Lakers in 63 games.
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