Pacman Jones Facing Vegas Felonies
Suspended NFL Star also Sought for Questioning by Georgia Police
Las Vegas detectives charge Titan star with two counts of felony coercion while Georgia cops want to talk to Jones about a strip club-related shooting early last Monday.
Hard on the heels of a shooting involving Tennessee Titans star Adam “Pacman” Jones, in suburban Atlanta, Las Vegas Police today announced they secured two felony warrants for the arrest of the suspended NFL defensive back.
According to police and the Clark County District Attorney’s office, Jones will face two counts of felony coercion stemming from an incident at a Las Vegas strip club, Minxx, several blocks off the famous Las Vegas Strip. The altercation preceded a triple shooting that left one man paralyzed Feb. 19.
The criminal complaint said Jones threatened to kill club employees and bit a bouncer on the ankle.
Jones is likewise wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting that took place early Monday morning after an altercation with several men at a DeKalb County-based strip club outside Atlanta.
Although Las Vegas Police identified Jones as a resident of Franklin, Tenn., outside of Nashville, he grew up in College Park, just south of Atlanta.
“Pacman” Suspended by NFL
Jones is currently serving a one-year suspension from the National Football League for repeatedly violating the league’s newly implemented player conduct policy. He’s been arrested five times since being drafted by the Titans in 2005, not including the current charges filed in Las Vegas.
Originally Jones was going to fight the suspension but withdrew his appeal after meeting last week with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. In a prepared statement, Jones said he pledged to clean up his act.
"I met with [Goodell] to tell him about the steps I have taken to change my life since being suspended by the NFL,” Jones said. “I accept the discipline that's been imposed on me and I am withdrawing my appeal."
The Latest Brouhaha
Jones’ attorney announced Tuesday that the embattled budding superstar would cooperate with DeKalb County detectives investigating an exchange of gunfire between occupants of two vehicles near Club Blaze, a strip club on Atlanta’s south side.
Jones and his entourage apparently exchanged words with several men inside the club. Witnesses told police they hear Jones say he was going to get a gun, according to police report, which quoted him as allegedly saying, "I'm going to my car to get my gun."
The statement was obtained from an off-duty Clayton County sheriff’s deputy, working security at the club.
The men allegedly argued after 34-year-old Decatur resident Darian Haygood asked a woman to dance. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported it was unclear whether the woman was with Jones’ crew or if she was a dancer at the facility.
During the argument, Jones was quoted as declaring, "Y'all don't know me. I'll kill all y'all in here."
After Jones as his entourage left the club in three separate vehicles, the two vehicles carrying Jones’ buddies allegedly pulled alongside Haygood’s car near I-285 and gunfire was exchanged. One of Haygood’s passengers suffered minor wounds, police said. Haygood returned fire, according to the report.
Jones “not a Suspect in Shooting”
DeKalb investigators stressed that Jones is not a suspect in the actual shooting, but identified him as a person of interest.
Deputy Chief Michael Burrows said investigators want Jones to shed some light on the incident.
"He is not a suspect in the shooting, his vehicle wasn't seen, but we do feel he could give us some guidance on who the suspects are,” Barrows said.
Jones’ lawyer, Manny Arora, said Jones will meet with police.
"We intend to fully cooperate with police," he remarked. "We'll get it all done. I don't want to comment on when. We'll do it privately."
Arora complained that Jones is being hounded because of his “bad boy” reputation.
"Anything that comes up within a two-mile perimeter [his] name comes up in it," he told the media Tuesday.
The former University of West Virginia standout had announced through his agent last week that he’d spend the suspension working out and taking on-line courses at UWV.
