The San Francisco 49ers linebacker has reportedly been held at the Los Angeles International Airport for making a false bomb threat, says The Sacramento Bee. According to the outlet, Smith reportedly made a comment that suggested he was in possession of a bomb. An official statement from the airport police reads:
"At approximately 1400 hrs, a 24 year-old Aldon Jacarus Ramon Smith, a resident of San Jose, California, was going through Terminal 1 screening where he made a comment indicating that he was in possession of a bomb. Los Angeles Airport Police made contact with him in the gate area where he became uncooperative. After conducting their investigation, LA Airport Police took suspect into custody and transported him to LAPD-Pacific division where he was booked for California Penal Code 148.1(a) - False report of a bomb threat."
USA Today reports that Trent Baalke, the 49ers general team manager released an official statement via a spokesperson, saying, "We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith. As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment."
The recent incident is not the linebacker's first run-in with the law. Smith was arrested September of last year on suspicion for driving under the influence after his pick-up truck struck a tree, reports ESPN. He was also arrested on suspicion for marijuana possession.
The NFL player reportedly took a break after the arrest and sought professional help, says USA Today. "He was away from the franchise for five weeks and returned to play Week 10, playing in the rest of the season," reports the outlet.
Interestingly, The Sacramento Bee reports that airport police Sgt. Karla Ortiz says Smith might have been drinking before the bomb comment at LAX though his blood-alcohol content was not checked. "It was not an issue that would affect the detention or the arrest," Ortiz said.
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