A judge in Cincinnati recalled an arrest warrant and dismissed a misdemeanor charge of aggravated menacing against Bengals running back Joe Mixon at the request of the city prosecutor’s office Friday.
Prosecutors requested the dismissal “because we need additional investigation before we would move forward with this case,” the prosecutor, identified by her office as Amber Daniel, told Kissinger.
She told the judge that the alleged victim “understands the need to dismiss this case and the potential that we could refile this at a later date” and she “does still want to go forward with this charge if we do decide to refile it.”
BREAKING: Hamilton County judge Kissinger has dismissed charges against Joe Mixon. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/u12KxpF85y
— Taylor Nimmo (@tnimms) February 3, 2023
The arrest warrant had been issued Thursday, according to court documents.
Mixon was accused of pointing a gun at a woman Jan. 21 in Cincinnati and saying to her: “You should be popped in the face. I should shoot you,” according to a complaint and an affidavit filed in Hamilton County Municipal Court.
Further details of the alleged incident were not available. A spokesman for the Cincinnati Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Mixon was not available to comment. His agent, Peter Schaffer, told NFL Network on Thursday that he expected the charge to be dropped Friday.
“It was a rush to judgment,” Schaffer said. “They’re dropping the charges first thing in the morning. I really feel that police have an obligation before they file charges — because of the damage that can be done to the person’s reputation — to do their work. They should be held to a higher standard.”
Mixon’s mother told the Cincinnati Enquirer: “Did he do it? No, he didn’t.”
The Bengals said in a statement Thursday: “The club is aware misdemeanor charges have been raised against Joe Mixon. The club is investigating the situation and will not comment further at this time.”
Just spoke to #Bengals RB Joe Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer, who says the misdemeanor charge against Mixon will be dropped Friday. pic.twitter.com/YKPFYuChgd
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 3, 2023
The Bengals beat the Buffalo Bills in an AFC playoff game Jan. 22 in Orchard Park, N.Y. They lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. Mixon played in both games.
Mixon, 26, could face discipline by the NFL under the personal conduct policy if the allegations are substantiated. He has spent six seasons with the Bengals, who selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft despite off-field issues before he reached the league.
Mixon fractured several bones in a woman’s face in 2014 when he punched her at a sandwich shop near the University of Oklahoma campus. Mixon was charged with a misdemeanor that was dropped when he reached a plea deal involving counseling and community service. He reportedly also reached a settlement with the woman. Mixon reportedly told police he heard a racial slur by the woman’s male friend and reacted to being slapped by the woman. The school suspended Mixon for the 2014 season.