Merriman arrested, accused of choking girlfriend Tila Tequila
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO -- Authorities say San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, a reality TV star, as she tried to leave his Southern California home.
San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says 27-year-old Tila Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant early Sunday, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment.
Tequila was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately available.
Merriman, 25, was taken into custody by deputies who responded to a distress call at his home in Poway, north of San Diego.
Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for her MTV dating reality show, "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press