The Associated Press reports that Ruben Patterson is the latest Portland Trail Blazer to be arrested. Patterson was charged Monday night with a felony domestic assault charge.
The five-year veteran was taken into custody after his wife called 911 to report that he assaulted her at their home. The couple's children, ages 2 and 10, were in the house when the alleged assault took place, police said. The presence of the children is enough to boost the reported incident from a misdemeanor to a felony under Oregon law, a police spokesman said.
Patterson was released when teammate Derek Anderson posted $1,000 bail.
Patterson?s wife, Shannon later released a statement through Ruben?s agent, Dan Fegan.
"I made a statement that was accurate, but in the heat of the moment was incomplete,'' Shannon Patterson said. "Ruben and I had a disagreement this evening. I want the public to know that Ruben did not assault me. I love my husband, and this is a private family matter. I'm embarrassed that it became public and this is something we are working out privately. I respectfully request that we be allowed to do so.''
Police spokesman Sgt. Doug Nafziger said Patterson could face one to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted.
Patterson will be arraigned on December 6th, the same day fellow Blazers Damon Stoudamire and Rasheed Wallace are scheduled to appear in court on drug charges.