Aldon Smith apparently detained at LAX after alledgly claiming to have bomb at security checkpoint
(Updated)
A man identified by eyewitnesses as 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was detained at LAX on Sunday, after allegedly being uncooperative with security personnel and stating he had a bomb.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson would only confirm that a 25-year-old male from San Jose had been detained and was being transported to booking, after which time his name would be released.
“At approximately 1400 hrs, a 25-year-old male resident of San Jose, California, was going through Terminal 1 screening and was randomly selected for a secondary screening,” Sgt. Karla Ortiz said in a statement. “The suspect then became belligerent and uncooperative with the process and with the TSA agent, making a comment indicating that he was in possession of a bomb before proceeding towards the gate area.
“Los Angeles Airport Police made contact with him at the gate and he was positively identified as the person in question. Once again the male subject became uncooperative and he was detained and taken into custody by Airport Police and is currently being transported to LAPD for booking.”
Smith, who turns 25 on Aug. 25, was at Gate 6 of Terminal 1 when confronted by several police, who then led Smith away from the Southwest gate, according to eyewitness John Egan of Austin.
“I heard him say, ‘I did nothing wrong,’ ” Egans said. “The whole thing ratcheted up from there. The cops were trying to calm him down. He wasn’t out of control; just agitated.”
“We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. “As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment.”
Smith has had multiple run-ins with police since joining the 49ers in 2011 and becoming one of the franchise’s all-time best pass rushers.
Last September, Smith was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence following a single-car accident in San Jose, two days before a game against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith played in that game and then went on a five-week voluntary leave to attend a substance-abuse treatment facility.
Smith is also facing three felony counts of possessing illegal assault rifles, which deputies discovered after a June 2012 party at Smith’s San Jose home. Smith sustained stab wounds at the party, and two partygoers were wounded by gunfire from alleged gang members.
Following his breakout rookie season, Smith was arrested in Miami Beach in January 2012 for suspicion of drunken driving, a charge that was reduced to reckless driving. He was injured nine months later as a passenger in a single-car accident near his San Jose home.
Smith has produced 42 regular-season sacks since the 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Missouri.
Jed York, the 49ers CEO, told reporters at last month’s league meetings in Florida that Smith seemed to be doing well and has received help from several people, within the confines of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
“You can do so much. Somebody has to work for themselves if they’re going to get through these issues,” York said. “We want to be very supportive of Aldon and let him know that if he needs anything we’re here for him. We want to make sure that he continues to work through this.
“But I think it’s literally one day at a time and we’re there for him. But we also don’t want to be too in-his-face and make it more stick than carrot.”
Smith set a franchise rookie record with 14 sacks, then set the overall franchise mark with 19 ½ sacks in 2013. He had 8 ½ sacks last season before adding 3 ½ during a postseason run that ended in the NFC Championship game at Seattle.
Several others 49ers have been the subjects of recent police investigations, including quarterback Colin Kaepernick and wide receiver Quinton Patton regarding an incident with a female at their Miami suite April 1.
Cornerback Chris Culliver pleaded not guilty Friday to misdemeanor hit-and-run and felony possession of brass knuckles charges in Santa Clara County Superior Court, stemming from a March 28 incident in San Jose. Other 49ers who’ve had police encounters are linebacker Ahmad Brooks (no assault charges filed after June 2013 incident), offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore (arrested in January and charged with public intoxication), wide receiver Michael Crabtree (not charged with sexual assault in January 2013 after a police investigation) and offensive linemen Al Netter (suspicion of drunken driving, February 2013) and defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs (suspicion of driving under the influence, November 2012).
Aldon Smith will not face misdemeanor charges stemming from an arrest for allegedly making a fake bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport in April.
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The 49ers want Aldon Smith to succeed off the field and they continue to support him, but if another situation arises, that may no longer be the case, Bill Williamson writes. Story
The Los Angeles City Attorney's office said Tuesday morning that Smith will not face charges from the April 13 incident following a long review.
The star San Francisco 49ers linebacker, however, will have a July 30 hearing to address the situation.
A spokesman for the city attorney's office wrote in an email that the hearing's purpose is to provide Smith the opportunity to give his account of the incident. He will then be admonished about the applicable laws and given suggestions on how to avoid similar incidents in the future, the spokesman wrote.
The City Attorney reserves the right to file charges up to one year after the incident. However, no further action is scheduled beyond the office hearing date.
Although this matter appears to be close to finished, Smith's legal issues are not. He will be sentenced July 25 for pleading no contest to three felony gun charges and could face jail time. The NFL could also suspend him.
The 49ers start training camp July 24. Smith has 42 sacks in 43 regular-season games.
He never yelled "bomb"....This is the prosecutor's office trying to save face in a case where some TSA keystone cop on a power trip decided to hassle Aldon and then trumped up some charges when Aldon showed some attitude.
Star San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was sentenced Friday to 12 days in jail on DUI charges but will be allowed to serve his sentence on a work crew.
[+] EnlargeAldon Smith
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was given the opportunity to serve his sentence on a work crew.
Judge Daniel Nishigaya of Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled that Smith could serve his time, reduced to 11 days after receiving credit for one day served, on a work crew on consecutive Mondays beginning July 28. Smith also was placed on three years' court probation.
Nishigaya reduced weapons charges against Smith from felonies to misdemeanors because of the player's background, character and future prospects.
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office, following a lengthy review, announced that Smith would not face misdemeanor charges stemming from an arrest for allegedly making a fake bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport in April.
The 49ers open camp Wednesday, and they have their first practice Thursday. Smith's original hearing was scheduled for next Friday but was moved up at the request of the prosecutor, who had a family emergency.
Smith, 24, has 42 sacks in 43 regular-season games with San Francisco.
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