Vikes' Thomas Faces Arraignment
Minnesota Vikings safety Orlando Thomas is expected to be arraigned in June on a charge of domestic violence involving an assault his wife.
Thomas, 26, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Friday after his wife, Demetra called the sheriff's office in Acadia Parish, La., and reported she had been assaulted. She was treated at a local hospital and released.
The arraignment has been tentatively set for June 24 in the 15th Judicial District Court in Acadia Parish. If convicted, Thomas could face a $500 fine and/or a six-month jail term.
Thomas was born in Crowley and owns a home in the town, which is 140 miles west of New Orleans. He has been in trouble before in his hometown, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press reported.
On June 29, 1997, he was arrested in Crowley and charged with inciting a riot and two counts of disturbing the peace.
The charges were reduced to one count of disturbing the peace, and Thomas entered a plea of no-contest. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine, court costs and do 50 hours of community service, the newspaper said.
The Vikings re-signed Thomas, their starting free safety, to a four-year contract worth $11 million in February. The deal includes a $2.75 million signing bonus most of it deferred and incentive money aimed at improving Thomas' workout habits.
By being charged, Thomas must comply with the NFL's violent crime policy, which includes mandatory evaluation and counseling.
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