Cedric Benson Arrested Again on Misdemeanor Assault Charge

Former Texas Longhorns and Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested this morning on charges of assault causing bodily injury to a family member. The arrest occurred early this morning in Travis County, TX (near Austin). After posting a $10,000 bond, Benson was released later in the day. Benson's lawyer could not detail specifics of the case, but released a statement reading:

"Mr. Benson has been charged with misdemeanor assault arising out of a conflict with a former male roommate.

The two had difficulties resulting from Mr. Benson asking the former male roommate to leave his home a few days prior to this incident. The conflict became physical early this morning and we intend to fully investigate. There is not enough information available at this time for further comment. Thank you."

This is not the first time Benson has been in trouble with the law. As a junior in college at the University of Texas in 2003, Benson was arrested on charges of criminal trespassing and possession of marijuana. While the trespassing charges were dropped on the basis of a lack of evidence, Benson ended up serving eight days in prison for the marijuana charges.

Benson was arrested twice in 2008, on counts of boating while intoxicated in May and for driving while intoxicated just over a month later in June. While Benson was acquitted by a grand jury on the boating charges, he was found guilty on the latter accusation, and as part of his conviction he was required to install a breathalyzer in his car ignition. 

Prior to this morning's events, Benson's most recent encounter with the law occurred in June of 2010, in which he was charged with assault for allegedly punching a bartender in the face.

Benson's assault charges fall in the category of a class A misdemeanor, which means that if the star running back is found guilty he could face a $4,000 fine and up to a year in prison. While NFL players have not been under the authority of the league's personal-conduct policy during the lockout, commissioner Roger Goodell has already made it clear that offending players will still be subject to discipline following the renewal of a new collective bargaining agreement.

Benson was the Bengals' leading rusher last season with 1,111 yards and 7 touchdowns. He will be a free agent when the lockout concludes.