Rodney King Hit Girlfriend During Quarrel, Police Say

Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by police led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, was arrested for allegedly punching his girlfriend in the stomach, police said Tuesday.

Authorities booked King, 38, of Rialto, on suspicion of domestic violence Saturday at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. He was released Monday after posting $50,000 bail.

It was the latest in a string of legal problems for King since an amateur videographer captured his 1991 beating by Los Angeles police officers.

Rialto police arrested King on Saturday morning after they received an emergency call from the alleged victim, JoAnne Naser, 22, of Rialto, who told authorities she and King had been arguing. “He struck her in the stomach and neck area,” said Rialto Police Sgt. Randy DeAnda. “She complained of pain.”

Paramedics took Naser to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, where she was examined and released.

Duane Dade, an Upland attorney representing King, said his client said he was defending himself against the woman.

“It’s his position he was trying to protect himself,” Dade said.

Police said King could be arraigned as early as today. But a spokeswoman with the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office said Tuesday afternoon that the department had not received the case.

King faces a probation hearing in February for other run-ins with the law.

In August, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and reckless driving in San Bernardino. A judge sentenced him to 120 days in jail, a $1,454 fine, three years’ probation and drug and alcohol treatment.

In that case, King crashed through a fence and tree and into a home in April. In 2001, King was sentenced to drug treatment for indecent exposure and being under the influence of PCP.

He was jailed for 60 days for assaulting his daughter in 1999 in San Bernardino County.

King also has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and assaulting another daughter.