FOOTBALL
Merriman arrested
Shawne Merriman
SAN DIEGO. Authorities say San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, a reality TV star, as she tried to leave his Southern California home.
San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says 27-year-old Tila Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant yesterday, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. Tequila was taken to a hospital. Merriman, 25, was taken into custody by deputies who responded to a distress call at his home in Poway, north of San Diego. Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for her MTV dating reality show, "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila."