SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested Sunday and accused of choking and restraining his girlfriend, reality TV star Tila Tequila, as she tried to leave his suburban home.

Tequila, 27, signed a citizen's arrest warrant, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment, San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman said.

Both are felonies.

Deputies responded about 3:45 a.m. to Merriman's house in Poway, north of San Diego, after a woman called to say she was choked by the player and thrown to the ground when she tried to leave, Sheriff's Department spokesman Jan Caldwell said at a news conference.

Merriman's attorney, Todd Macaluso, disputed Tequila's story and said he's confident Merriman won't be charged by the District Attorney's Office.


This kinds stuff pisses me off. I'm a huge Chargers fan so for Merriman to do something like this is disappointing! Hopefully he will be charged, but that's not likely to happen.
"There was absolutely no wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Merriman," Macaluso told The Associated Press by phone. "He essentially was doing what was appropriate under the circumstances in trying to protect the safety of Miss Tequila. There were numerous eyewitnesses that will support his version of the events that transpired at his home."

Merriman, 25, was taken into custody and booked into the central jail at about 8:30 a.m. He was released shortly after 11 a.m.

Tequila was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately available.

Caldwell said deputies determined Tequila had been drinking.

Asked if Merriman was trying to keep Tequila from driving drunk, Macaluso said: "We don't want to comment on her conduct. The bottom line is, he did everything in his power to ensure her safety. He hopes she comes forth and tells the truth."

Caldwell said she wasn't sure if Merriman had been drinking. Macaluso said witnesses he spoke with said Merriman had ordered water three or four times when his group was at a downtown San Diego club before going to his house. The attorney said none of Merriman's teammates were at his house.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Scott E. Leemon, an attorney for Tequila, said in a statement that neither she nor her representatives would comment publicly.

He should get a medal for that

No way...he didn't kill her.

Do Not Believe the Hype!

She is an ATTENTION WHORE! LIAR LIAR HEAD ON FIRE BIZNOTCH!

She citizen arrested him. No Formal Charges have been made....just her accusations.....which they Examined her and found NO MARKINGS on her neck....She is what 5 6 maybe....Merriman could have chocked her one handed......I do not believe her nonsense 1 minute

The bar they were at my sister works there and Tila was drinking the whole night shots tequila and straight out of the vodka bottle....then she has nerve to tweet the next day that she is allergic to alcohol after Merriman's official comment that the argument was because she was tooo drunk and wanted to drive home.

She is a PSYCHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tila Toooo Kill YA!

Merriman should be more careful who he hangs out with!

Besides she looks like a Efffing Alien...WTF ...Merriman could have any chick he wants....Why that butter face?

When I posted this the story had just come out so I didn't know all the details as they hadn't yet unfolded. If Merriman didn't choke her then great! don't know who tequilla tenilla or whatever is but I don't like it when women get roughed up.

didn't read the story...but my understanding is the he was attempting to prevent her from driving drunk.....

Thanks for keeping her off the roads...if that is the case.....



ok now I see raerae's comment...keep the drunk chicks off the road

Thats what I'm reading now that he was trying to stop her, but thats under investigation. Apparently the two of them were at a club earlier that night night and witnesses said that Merriman was drinking water?

Yep! Merriman was drinking Water. The club is here in Good ol SD. And she was most def not. She is allergic to the truth is what she should tweet. LOL
Besides the news reported that they had practice on Monday.....after his 2 hr in jail for her citizen arrest against him he went to practice.

Gotta get ready for the the game against Oakland! Woot Woot!

**** oakland! thats one big *** shitty ****in ghetto right there!