Miami (AFP) – Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will not face prosecution for slapping a New Orleans policeman’s rear after the officer withdrew his complaint, the NFL star’s attorney said Saturday.
Beckham had faced being fined up to $1,000 following the incident which occurred in the wake of Louisiana State University’s victory over Clemson in the US collegiate American football championship game on Monday.
Video of the incident appeared to show Beckham smacking the police officer’s rear as he confronted LSU players for allegedly smoking in the Superdome locker room following the team’s 42-25 win.
An arrest warrant on a charge of simple battery against former LSU student Beckham had been issued on Thursday.
However Beckham’s attorney Daniel Davillier said in a statement on Saturday the case had been dropped after the officer in question decided not to pursue it.
“There is no warrant outstanding for the arrest of Odell Beckham Jr.,” Davillier said in a statement.
“The security officer involved does not wish to pursue charges in this matter. The legal matter has been resolved.”
Local prosecutors later confirmed the case had been dropped.
“Absent a complaining witness, this is not a case our office intends to pursue,” the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Beckham, 27, spent his first five NFL seasons with the New York Giants before joining the Browns last year.
He has 464 career NFL catches for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns.
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