Bengals running back Joe Mixon recharged with aggravated menacing in road rage incident
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is being recharged in a road rage incident, Cincinnati police announced Friday.
An aggravated menacing charge were initially filed on Feb. 2 after Mixon was accused of pointing a gun at a woman. It was dismissed the next day so police could further investigate.
The charge is a misdemeanor. Mixon has been summoned to appear in court April 19.
"This decision was reached following the discovery of new evidence during the investigative process," a statement from Cincinnati police said. "To preserve a fair and impartial judicial process for all parties involved, no investigatory details or evidence will be disclosed outside of official court proceedings."
What happened earlier this year
In February, Mixon was accused of pointing a gun at a woman during a road-rage incident. Mixon was at Second and Walnut streets at 12:49 p.m. on Jan. 21, shortly before he was due at Paycor Stadium, where the team was gathering to leave for playoff game in Buffalo.
A warrant was issued, but the charge was immediately dropped so police could further investigate.
The prosecutor said the charge could be refiled and said the woman who made the complaint indicated she would go forward with the case.
Police Chief Teresa Theetge said at the time the investigation was not finished and there was a new piece of evidence. The case was assigned to a new investigator.
Who is Joe Mixon?
Mixon, 26, just finished his sixth season with the Bengals and is a two-time team captain. The Bengals gave Mixon a four-year contract extension worth $48 million in September of 2020. His contract runs through the 2024 season with the Bengals. He's coming off of a down year after being named to the Pro Bowl in 2021. He rushed for 814 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2022 season.
Fallout from February incident involving Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon
In the weeks since the downtown Cincinnati case became public, The Enquirer reviewed four video recordings provided by Mixon's agent, Peter Schaffer. They show Mixon driving downtown when the incident was alleged to have taken place but do not show the incident itself.
There are two cameras at Second and Walnut streets, a Cincinnati transportation camera and a Cincinnati crime camera. City officials, after The Enquirer made a public records request seeking footage, said neither camera was operational at the time.
Jeff Ruberg, the Cincinnati police detective who filed the original Cincinnati charge that was rescinded, was disciplined with a written reprimand for not following a directive issued by his immediate supervisor. Ruberg has also been reassigned to a patrol position, Cincinnati police union president Dan Hils told The Enquirer.
Joe Mixon incident at Oklahoma
In July 2014, while at the University of Oklahoma, Mixon broke multiple bones in a woman's face after he punched her in a restaurant. Mixon struck her after she shoved and slapped him. The incident was captured on video that was made public.
In October of that year, Mixon entered into an Alford Plea to an assault charge. The Alford Plea allowed Mixon to proclaim innocence yet acknowledge there was evidence for a conviction if the case went before a jury. Mixon was given a one-year deferred sentence and ordered to undergo counseling and do 100 hours of community service.
The deferred sentence meant Mixon does not have a criminal conviction for the misdemeanor offense.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Mixon, Bengals running back, recharged in road rage incident
