CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason is out of jail after being arrested Monday on an aggravated assault charge.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office says Beason was released from custody on a written promise to appear in court.
The charges stem from an incident at the Uptown Cabaret strip club after the Panthers' victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 15.
A NewsChannel 36 source says that Beason punched a man during a confrontation. The victim allegedly suffered injuries to his eye socket and nose, which required medical attention and may require reconstructive surgery. His attorney released photos of the injuries, which show cuts to his left eye.
The arrest warrant named Beason's accuser as Gregory C. Frye. Beason's attorney, George Laughrun, said that Frye obtained a warrant despite the fact that a police investigation in the matter was not yet complete. He called Beason "disappointed."
"Jon is confidant in the system and confident that he'll clear his good name," said Laughrun. "That's not his nature to be violent off the field."
A copy of Beason's arrest warrant said probable cause was found that he "did unlawfully and willfully commit an assault and battery" on Frye "by punching the victim in the face with his fist, inflicting serious injuries," resulting in Frye sustaining a crushed naval cavity and swelling to his nose and eye area.
Frye has a history of legal troubles, according to court records, including charges of assaulting a female and writing a worthless check in 2008, both of which were dismissed. He was most recently arrested for aggressive driving in October.
Carolinas Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney released this statement: "We were aware of the police department looking into the incident and have addressed it with Jon. At this time there appear to be two different versions of what happened."
The arrest comes a day after Beason recorded a career-high 17 tackles in Carolina's 17-6 loss to the New York Jets.
