ARLINGTON, Texas — Barkevious Mingo, an NFL linebacker who started his career with the Cleveland Browns, has been charged with indecency after he was accused of having sexual contact with a child, according to multiple reports.
ESPN reports Mingo, 30, was arrested last week in Arlington after turning himself in to police. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
The second-degree felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if found guilty.
“The incident stems from an investigation that the department is conducting,” police in Arlington said in a statement, according to CNN. Police said they were not releasing additional information “due to the nature of the charges and age of the victim.”
“The allegations out of Tarrant County against my client are completely baseless. Barkevious Mingo is innocent,” said Mingo’s lawyer, Lukas Garcia, in a statement to NFL Network. “At this stage, our side has very limited information.
“What we do know is these allegations are from over two years ago and are completely untrue. Mr. Mingo is the victim of a false claim and we believe this is motivated by money or some other ulterior motive. We are confident when the truth comes to light, my client will be fully exonerated.”
Mingo was released Saturday by the Atlanta Falcons after the team became aware of the charges, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. Mingo had signed with the Falcons during the off-season after playing last year with the Chicago Bears.
The Browns drafted Mingo out of LSU with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. In three seasons he started in 16 games, compiling seven sacks and intercepting one pass. The Browns traded Mingo to the New England Patriots in August 2016 for a fifth-round draft pick.
Mingo also has played for the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.
