Denver Nuggets: Chris Andersen Investigated for Internet Crimes Against Children

Denver Nuggets forward Chris Andersen certainly has a checkered past when it comes to his life off the court, and it appears as though more trouble could be on the horizon.

Andersen is reportedly being investigated for his involvement with child pornography by the Douglas County Internet Crimes Against Children unit in Larkspur, Colo., according to Alan Gathright of ABC 7 News in Denver.

Update: Thursday, May 10 at 5:11 p.m. ET

9 News Denver reported on Thursday: 

"

Nuggets Chris Andersen has been excused from all team-related activities indefinitely as he deals with the reported investigation.

— 9NEWS Sports Denver (@9NEWSSports) May 10, 2012"

Sternfield is also reporting that the investigation has been ongoing since February and that property has been taken from Andersen's home in connection with the case. No arrests have been made, so Andersen figures to be present when the Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series tonight.

With that said, it has yet to be proved that the material in question belongs to Andersen. According to Jessica Fender of the The Denver Post, there is at least one other person living in Andersen's Larkspur home.

Andersen, who is nicknamed "Birdman" because of his soaring dunks and shot-blocking prowess, has been one of the more vibrant characters in the NBA in recent memory. His body is covered in colorful tattoos and a Mohawk is his hairstyle of choice, so it's certainly tough to miss him.

This season marks Andersen's 10th in the NBA and seventh as a member of the Nuggets. He has long been considered a strong defensive asset, as he routinely averages well over one block per game off the bench. This year has been a trying one for Andersen, though, as the 33-year-old big man was used in just 32 games during the regular season and hasn't played a single minute since March 25.

Andersen may be best known for being banned from the league back in 2006 due to drug use. Because the substance or substances that he tested positive for were considered drugs of abuse, he received the maximum punishment. He was reinstated in 2008, however, and has not been associated with any negativity since then.