Amari Spievey Arrested: Lions Saftey Charged With Assault On Girlfriend

Detroit Lions safety Amari Spievey was arrested earlier this week in Connecticut after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend during a heated argument over child support.

According to USA Today, the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in Middletown, CT.

Reports say Spievey, a part-time starter in his first three NFL seasons, was holding his 2-year-old daughter in his arms, when he and his girlfriend, Lisamarie Santos, got an into a violent altercation.

Spievey, 24, told authorities Santos grabbed his throat with her right hand and he had to push her hand away. He also told police she threw a “flurry of punches at his chest.”

The Middletown Press reports that the dispute stemmed from an argument over Santos’ use of child support money.

Spievey allegedly told police he already gives Santos child support and that he will pay anything for his daughter, but he will not pay for Santos to “go shopping and pay off her student loans,” according to police.

The couple’s child was not hurt during the altercation.

Following the incident, Spievey was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, risk of injury to a child and disorderly conduct.

Santos also was arrested and charged with risk of injury to a child and disorderly conduct.

Both were released on a $5,000 bond and appeared in court Wednesday.

The Detroit Lions released a statement on Wednesday addressing Spievey’s arrest.

“We are aware of the reports involving Amari Spievey. We are in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comment at this time.”

Spievey, who missed 11 games of the 2012 season with a concussion, agreed to a one-year contract $630,000 with the Detroit Lions two weeks ago.

He has career totals of 142 tackles, 5 interceptions and 1 sack in his three seasons as a pro.