False identification in arrest

A man identifying himself as USC defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested by Claremont police last weekend on suspicion of public intoxication.

That came as news to Trojans Coach Pete Carroll. . . and to Fili Moala.

On Monday, after comparing a mugshot to Moala’s roster photo and confirming fingerprint identification, police said the Trojans player was not the man who had been taken into custody early Sunday and released about six hours later with no charges pending after a “standard detoxification.”

Moala said after practice that he didn’t recognize the man in the mugshot, which was obtained by USC coaches. He also said he had neither lost nor gave out his identification.

“I don’t know why someone would do that,” Moala said. “I just know I don’t want anything to be on my record.”

Lt. Eric Winchell of the Claremont Police Department said the man was taken into custody at 12:13 a.m. Sunday after officers responded to a call from campus security at Claremont McKenna College regarding a disturbance. Police were called because several people were running around the dorm area and several were possibly fighting, Winchell said.

According to Capt. Gary Jenkins, the man told the arresting officer that his name was Fili Moala, that he wore No. 75 for the USC football team and that, “Coach Carroll is going to kill me.”

The man did not have identification, Jenkins said, and gave a “jumbled” birth date. Based on Moala’s uncommon name and a birth date and physical appearance that nearly matched initial Department of Motor Vehicle records, he was booked as Fili Moala, Jenkins said.

The arrest and part of the booking information was posted on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website.

When a reporter called Carroll on Sunday to ask whether he was aware of the arrest, the coach said no. Carroll later said he had spoken with Moala, who denied any involvement in the incident or an arrest.

“It was kind of scary,” Moala said.

The Claremont Police Department generally does not make mugshots available to the public or media unless distribution can aid an investigation or help serve as a possible alert for citizens. On Monday, after obtaining the mugshot, Carroll and his staff breathed a sigh of relief.

Carroll, whose team plays No. 14 Nebraska on Saturday, used the situation to open the Trojans’ first meeting since last Friday.

“I made the point that we’re in the spotlight and stuff happens,” Carroll said. “Someone was obviously trying to get away with something.”

Jenkins said people who provide false names are occasionally booked, but that it usually involves someone who knows the person, such as a family member who is driving with a suspended license. Jenkins said officers “didn’t do enough checking,” before entering the booking information regarding Moala.

He declined to name the man who had been identified by fingerprints, but said the man had “some history” out of state and that police would pursue him for questioning. Jenkins also said that Moala would be contacted for a statement so that his record could be cleared.

Defensive back Josh Pinkard will miss the Nebraska game because of a left knee injury that kept him out of the opener against Idaho.

“It’s not OK,” Carroll said. “He’s not going to be able to bounce back. We’ll see what that all means.”

Carroll said Pinkard would be evaluated by team physicians today. Pinkard, a fourth-year junior, redshirted last season after tearing ligaments in his right knee in the opener against Arkansas.

Tailback Chauncey Washington practiced for the first time since spraining his right shoulder in the Trojans’ final training camp scrimmage. Washington said he would play against Nebraska, but he has not been cleared for contact. . . . Receiver Patrick Turner said he was fully recovered from the practice collision that kept him out of the opener. Turner went through drills wearing a yellow jersey to signify that he should not be hit. . . . Carroll said linebacker Brian Cushing (ankle) could be cleared to practice today.

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gary.klein@latimes.com