SHAWNE MERRIMAN AND TILA TEQUILA

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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.

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.

SHAWNE MERRIMAN AND TILA TEQUILA

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, placed a call at 3:45 a.m., accusing Merriman of choking and physically restraining her. She claims Merriman prevented her from being able to leave his house, and signed a citizen’s arrest warrant at the scene, charging him with battery and false imprisonment.

Tequila was taken to a hospital following the alleged incident. Her condition was not immediately available. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jan Caldwell stated at a news conference that deputies determined she had been drinking, but she wasn’t sure about Merriman. Caldwell also said there were other people at the house.

After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2005, Merriman was suspended for four games in 2006 for a positive steroid test. In 2008, reconstructive knee surgery forced Merriman to miss almost the entire season after conflicting information floated around training camp and preseason about whether or not he’d be able to play. The Chargers’ defense fell to 25th in the league in total defense in ’08 after finishing 14th in 2007.

It’s far too early to begin discussing possible legal or occupational repercussions (if any) for Merriman; there will surely be more details to emerge from this story before the dust settles.

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