Authorities issue arrest warrant for Lakers’ DeMarcus Cousins

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.

Cousins’ ex-girlfriend and the mother of his 7-year-old son filed a police report Friday, about two hours after she alleged Cousins threatened to “put a bullet in your (expletive) head.” The phone conversation was recorded by Cousins’ ex-girlfriend and a copy was provided to the Mobile, Alabama, police department. Footage was released by TMZ on Tuesday.

Mobile police spokesperson Charlette M. Solis told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that “an arrest warrant has been issued.” The third-degree harassing communications charge was listed on the Mobile municipal court website, although no other information was provided.

“Yes, a warrant has been signed,” Cousins’ ex-girlfriend told USA TODAY Sports in a text message Thursday.

USA TODAY Sports does not identify alleged victims of domestic abuse.

Defense attorney Mary Kristen Galanos, who is not involved in the case, said that a suspect is subject to arrest in Alabama after an alleged victim signs a warrant in a misdemeanor case.

“They aren’t going (to) send a SWAT team out for him,” said Galanos of Shane A. Taylor & Associates. “What usually happens is that the person is picked up on a routine traffic stop.”

Galanos said since the investigation has garnered so much interest, Cousins’ attorney would likely set up time for Cousins to turn himself in to police, when he’d be processed and released. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, meaning Cousins would face a maximum of a year in jail.

Galanos said it’s unlikely Cousins would serve much if any jail time if convicted or if he takes a plea in the case.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Tuesday that the league is “investigating the allegations.”

“We are aware of the allegation involving DeMarcus Cousins and, of course, take this claim seriously,” the Lakers said in a statement Tuesday. “We are in the process of gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time.”

Cousins, a four-time NBA All-Star, tore his left ACL this month after he signed a one-year deal with the Lakers in July.

Cousins, 29, missed most of last season as a member of the Golden State Warriors as he recovered from an Achilles tear suffered in January 2018. He also was hampered by a quadriceps injury during the Warriors’ playoff run that ended with a loss in six games to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals.

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