Suspended FSU QB De'Andre Johnson charged with misdemeanor battery
A notice-to-appear warrant has been issued for suspended Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson, who was charged with misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident in which he allegedly punched a 21-year-old woman in a bar on Wednesday, reports ESPN.
The decision to charge Johnson came after the state attorney’s office in Tallahassee, Fla., reviewed security camera footage that captured the incident inside the bar.
Because Johnson faces a misdemeanor, he will be served the notice to appear but not arrested.
Last Thursday, Florida State suspended Johnson indefinitely for a violation of athletic department policy. At that time, Johnson had not been arrested or charged with a crime.
State attorney Willie Meggs, who will prosecute the case, told ESPN that Johnson was involved in a confrontation with the woman after she cut in front of him while they were waiting to order drinks at a bar near campus. Witnesses told police the woman raised her arms and Johnson then grabbed her and punched her in the face. Meggs met with the woman on Tuesday and told ESPN she still has a black eye.
Johnson, a true freshman, enrolled early at Florida State in January. At First Coast High School in Jacksonville, Fla., Johnson was named the state’s Mr. Football in 2014 and ranked a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.
Johnson was competing with Sean Maguire and John Franklin III for a backup position behind Everett Golson, who transferred to FSU from Notre Dame in May as a graduate student and is expected to start at quarterback.
- Mike Fiammetta
