Lakers Center Faces Charges

Wednesday, October 3rd 2007, 11:29 am

By: News On 6

VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown faces misdemeanor charges in south Georgia following a weekend incident in which his cousin was charged with driving under the influence.

Valdosta Police Department Lieutenant Bobbi McGraw says police pulled over Charles Warren Junior early Saturday morning for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. McGrawn says officers began questioning Warren about the strong smell of alcohol in his vehicle.

Lieutenant Bobbi McGraw says Lakers center Kwame Brown approached the officers and told them he was Warren's cousin and that the vehicle belonged to the basketball player.

Kwame Brown reportedly became disruptive and tried to interfere with the officers' investigation, which led to his arrest. Valdosta Police charged Brown with disorderly conduct and inferring with an officer after his cousin was charged with DUI.

The 25-year-old Kwame Brown was released shortly after his arrest. Valdosta Police Lieutenant Bobbi McGraw says jail officials had no record of how much he paid in bond.

Lakers officials told the Los Angeles Times they are aware of the charges but declined to comment further.

Lakers center Kwame Brown, the top draft pick in 2001, was accused of sexual assault in May 2006 by a college student, but prosecutors rejected the case because of a lack of evidence.