Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer - more Bucs Part 2

By Nicholas Dorsten, Esq.

Here we go again...For those that missed it, here is Part One in the ongoing saga of the hometown football team that is making the Oakland Raiders look like choir boys. The story comes from the St. Petersburg Times...

TAMPA — Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes was arrested early Monday morning on charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing, according to jail records.

Hayes, 23, was jailed shortly after the 2 a.m. arrest at the Blue Martini, 2223 N Westshore Blvd. in International Plaza. The alleged incident happened hours after the Bucs defeated the Washington Redskins on the road Sunday.

Police used a Taser on Hayes after he became aggressive with police during an incident that started with another man, according to police. Hayes overheard a security guard wouldn't let his friend into the lounge for being underdressed. Police said Hayes pushed a police officer (but was not charged with battery of a law enforcement officer) out of the way to stand between her and two disruptive men.

Police said the man denied entry was verbally abusive, and police directed Hayes back into the lounge and forced the other men to leave.

Instead, police said Hayes stayed at the lounge entrance, "menacingly staring" at the officers and guards who made his friends leave. Police eventually led him to the parking lot and told him not to return or he could be arrested for continuing disorderly conduct.

Hayes was back 10 minutes later. He said he'd left his credit card, and police told him to sit at a nearby store while a friend looked for the card.

Bar employees told police they overheard Hayes saying, "B-tch a-- cop. You ain't gonna do nothing. I ain't leaving. I don't have to leave."

An officer ended up using a Taser on Hayes because he continued to be combative and refused to leave, police said. His thick clothing made the device ineffective, and an officer tackled and handcuffed Hayes.

He was booked at 3:35 a.m. and released on bond at 5:12 a.m., according to records.

Hayes, a 6-foot-1, 226-pound former Florida State University standout, was drafted by the Bucs in 2008 and became a starter in 2009, replacing Derrick Brooks. He has started all 13 games this season, amassing 61 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and an interception.

Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said: "We're disappointed Geno put himself in this situation, are currently reviewing it and will handle the matter accordingly.''

In a news conference on Monday, Bucs coach Raheem Morris said: ""You talk to your team about making good decisions all the time, you're frustrated with anything that diverts attention from your team. So obviously you're frustrated with that and diverting away from us being positive and 8-5."

"The frustration is that we're not talking about the plays Geno made yesterday," Morris said. "We're talking about the incident after the game."

Morris said the Bucs will handle Hayes' discipline internally and there are no plans to suspend the linebacker.

"Geno will be here Sunday," Morris said. "We'll handle our discipline in house like we always do."

Have you or a loved one been arrested and are in need of a criminal defense lawyer? Then call the law office of Blake & Dorsten, P.A. for a free consultation with a criminal defense attorney.