June 30--Suspended FSU quarterback De'Andre Johnson has been charged with misdemeanor battery.
Johnson, who enrolled at FSU in January, was suspended last week after allegedly hitting a woman at a bar in Tallahassee, according to a report released by the TPD. The school confirmed in a release that Johnson was suspended indefinitely for violating an athletic department policy, but it did not specify the violation.
The State Attorney's Office confirmed to the Sentinel that it charged Johnson with misdemeanor battery on Tuesday.
Johnson turned himself in to the Leon County Jail on Tuesday afternoon after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to a report from the Tallahassee Democrat. Johnson hired attorney Jose Baez, according to a release from Baez's firm. Baez is best known for defending Casey Anthony, a Central Florida resident who was charged with murdering her daughter but later was acquitted.
The incident occurred at a nightclub, Yianni's and was recorded on the establishment's security camera. According to the police report, Johnson allegedly pushed a woman from behind "aggressively" when she approached the bar. The woman turned around to address Johnson and "raised her right arm to defend herself" when Johnson allegedly "grabbed her arm that was raised and began pushing her."
The woman raised her knee to Johnson's midsection to push him away and attempted to punch Johnson. One witness heard the woman yell "no" twice before Johnson allegedly punched her in the face, causing bruising under her left eye, swelling to her left cheek and upper lip, and a small cut on her nose.
The woman's account is consistent with video, according to the police department.
Johnson, a freshman, stood out in FSU's spring game but was not expected to have a significant role this season.
Email Brendan at bsonnone@orlandosentinel.com. Follow Brendan's FSU coverage on Twitter at @OSFSU
