George Zimmerman, who was acquitted in 2013 for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, was arrested in central Florida Friday night on an aggravated assault charge.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said Zimmerman, 31, was arrested in Lake Mary about 10 p.m. Friday after allegedly throwing a wine bottle in his girlfriend’s direction earlier in the week, Reuters reported.
Zimmerman was held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility and later released. He appeared in a Seminole County court Saturday morning.
“Mr. Zimmerman denies the accusation,” said his attorney, Donald West, who defended Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
The aggravated assault charge is a third-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine, Reuters reported. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 17.
This isn’t the first time Zimmerman has run in with the law over domestic issues. Four months after he was acquitted of second-degree murder, central Florida police arrested him November 2013 for allegedly pointed a gun at his girlfriend during an argument. A month later, prosecutors dropped the charges, saying his girlfriend withdrew allegations, Reuters reported.
“It’s clear that he hasn’t been very lucky with the ladies the last few months,” Mr. West told a local NBC affiliate.
“Certainly anybody that’s been through what he’s been through over the last couple of years would benefit from some counseling,” he said.
A judge ordered Zimmerman to not have any contact with his alleged victim, and he must also surrender his guns.
“Even though there was no firearm alleged to have been used in this offense, I think in an abundance of caution, it would be best to go ahead and order you to surrender any firearms that you may have in your possession,” the judge said, WESH-TV reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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