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NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman allegedly assaulted MTV reality star Tila Tequila early Sunday morning in San Diego and was arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment.
Merriman was held on $58,000 bail and Tequila was transported and later released from a local hospital.
According to Tequila, best known for her show A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, the San Diego Chargers linebacker “choked and physically restrained” the 27-year-old.
The two were rumored to be an item but Merriman sent a text message to ESPN reporter Colleen Dominquez claiming that Tequila was just a female acquaintance.
Merriman’s attorney, Todd Macaluso, has a different story on what his client was doing with Tequila. He claims Merriman was trying to secure a ride home for Tequila, who was allegedly “extremely intoxicated.”
"At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her; at no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will," Macaluso told the San Diego Union Tribune.
Earlier in the evening, the two were spotted at Stingaree’s nightclub in San Diego. A club official said "Merriman and Tequila stayed until closing in the early hours of Sunday morning. They seemed in good spirits throughout the evening and were enjoying themselves. There was no outward indication of any problem between the two of them."
Tequila (@officialTila) tweeted on several occasions about attending the Chargers game on Friday and hanging out with Merriman afterwards including this tweet: "Im the Head Cheerleader Prom Queen and @shawnemerriman is the Prom King! hahaha! LETS GOOO! LIGHTS OUT! SAN DIEGO I WILL SEE U TOMORROW!"
Whether it was Merriman’s female acquaintance or his girlfriend, if he did indeed put his hands on Tequila, he crossed the line. No man, especially one that outweighs the other person by nearly 150 pounds, should ever hit or choke a woman. Sadly, this has all the signs of a classic he-said, she-said case.
Chime in: Who do you think is telling the truth between Tequila and Merriman?
