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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police officers used a chemical spray and stun gun to arrest Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson after he refused to leave a downtown restaurant after closing time, according to a Minneapolis police report released Monday.
Johnson, listed at 6-foot-3 and 288 pounds, was arrested before 3 a.m. on Sunday after security officials and police repeatedly told him to leave Seven steakhouse. He was charged with misdemeanor counts of trespassing and disorderly conduct and released from the Hennepin County jail after posting $78 bond.
According to the police report, the 30-year-old Johnson was repeatedly told to leave the building and he refused. When he resisted officers, they used a chemical irritant on him and forced him outside. Once outside, he was uncooperative and police used a stun gun on him.
The Vikings have said the team is investigating and will have additional comment when appropriate. Johnson has an unlisted number and it was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. He told the Star Tribune on Monday: "We're going to put out a statement. . I don't know if any of that (police account) is accurate."
It's Johnson's first season with the Vikings after three years with New Orleans. Back in May, he was charged with fourth-degree driving while impaired. He has pleaded not guilty in that case and a pretrial hearing is set for later this month in Hennepin County.
He's scheduled to be arraigned on the disorderly conduct and trespassing charges on Oct. 17.
Johnson is the third Vikings player to face legal troubles this season. Running back Adrian Peterson is on paid leave after he was indicted in Texas on child abuse charges. Wide receiver Jerome Simpson was released last month after the team learned of a July traffic stop in which he was cited for drug possession and other charges.
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