Former NFL tight end Orson Charles Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

NFL TE Orson Charles arrested for pulling gun on off-duty cops

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/18/22

Former NFL tight end Orson Charles was arrested over the weekend after an incident involving a gun in the Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa, Florida.

Former Georgia and NFL tight end Orson Charles was arrested in Tampa this morning and faces three felony charges: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed firearm & introduction of contraband into a detention facility. Also possession of controlled substance.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 16, 2022

According to Tampa Police, the 31-year-old former player was reportedly arrested after pulling a gun on two off-duty police officers during an altercation involving a parking spot. CBS Sports reported that Charles pulled out a gun from under his shirt and continued to threaten the two officers even after they showed their badges.

Charles was detained on Saturday morning and charged, according to the report. It was later discovered that his firearms permit was expired and that he had marijuana in his possession. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm, both of which are felonies in Florida.

More on Orson Charles arrest in Ybor City: According to the TPD arrest report, a confrontation over a parking spot led to Charles drawing a 9mm firearm, approaching the victims’ car and threatening to shoot them in the head. They displayed law enforcement credentials, per report.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 16, 2022

Charles was arrested, his concealed firearms permit was expired and was in possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana, per the arrest report.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 16, 2022

Charles last played in the NFL in 2018, playing 13 games for the Cleveland Browns. Although he was drafted out of Georgia in 2012, the Tampa native only played five seasons in the NFL scattered over a seven-year span. He was also suspended while with the New Orleans Saints in 2015 for breaking the league's personal conduct policy.

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