Michael Thomas, a former New Orleans Saints wide receiver, decided on Wednesday to enter diversion rather than stand trial on misdemeanour criminal charges stemming from his arrest in Kenner in the fall.
Though Thomas’ attorney, Daniel “Becket” Becnel, claimed the charges had been withdrawn due to a “lack of evidence,” the Kenner City Attorney’s Office and Kenner police confirmed Wednesday evening that Thomas’ charges had not been dropped.
Thomas must first undergo six months of pre-trial diversion for the charges of simple violence and criminal mischief, according to court documents.
Thomas was detained Nov. 10 outside of his Kenner home after investigators claimed he shoved a construction contractor and threw a brick at his vehicle.
According to Becnel, Thomas is ready to resume his NFL career now that the accusations have been handled.
“We have cooperated with authorities at every step of the process,” he told reporters.
Thomas was not present in court.
The arrest happened after a week of disputes arising from a parking disagreement between Thomas and the contractor, according to Kenner police.
The construction crew was working in the Gabriel subdivision, where Thomas resides. According to Becnel and police, he was agitated because the workers were parking vehicles on his yard and blocking his driveway.
When Thomas returned home at 7 p.m. on November 10, another argument broke out, according to Kenner police. Thomas was accused of picking up a brick and tossing it at the contractor’s vehicle windshield.
He was also accused of assaulting the contractor and knocking his smartphone out of his hands, according to Kenner police.
Becnel stated that no civil lawsuits have been filed.
Thomas joins the Saints after being taken in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent eight seasons with the organization, suffering from injuries during his final four seasons in New Orleans.
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