Bengals' Orson Charles arrested

ByColey Harvey ESPN logo
Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Cincinnati Bengals H-back Orson Charles was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment in Richmond, Ky., on Monday night, according to officials at the Madison County (Ky.) Detention Center.

The detention center's website also has a listing of his arrest.

Charles' arrest was the result of what police believe was a road rage incident involving a handgun. The incident report didn't indicate if any shots were fired.

According to a copy of the incident report obtained Tuesday morning by ESPN.com, Charles was stopped by Richmond police on Interstate 75 after a complaint was called in by another driver. The other driver indicated to police that Charles brandished a firearm in his direction several times while driving down the highway sometime just before 8 p.m. Monday. At some point, Charles allegedly cut off the other driver. When police arrived and did a search of Charles' car, a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun was found in a purse.

According to the report, Charles declined to make a statement to police before his arrest. The Bengals issued a statement, saying they wouldn't comment on "legal matters that are unresolved."

When contacted by ESPN.com on Tuesday morning, officials at the detention center said Charles had not yet been released. His bond has been set at $5,000.

Charles was a fourth-round pick of the Bengals in 2012 out of Georgia. He has appeared in 29 games in two seasons with the team, catching nine passes for 109 yards.

A month before the 2012 NFL draft, Charles was arrested and charged with DUI in Athens, Ga.

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