Vikings WR Jerome Simpson Arrested For DWI

Minneapolis, MN — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Simpson was arrested by Minnesota State Police and booked at 5:39 am, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s jail roster. He was booked and held on a 36-hour hold.

A state trooper responded to a report of a stalled vehicle on Interstate-394 leaving Minneapolis, according to ESPN. The 27-year-old, who is in his second year with the Vikings, had blurry eyes and slurred speech. He was coming from the Pour House in downtown Minneapolis, but denied having been drinking. Simpson failed a field sobriety tests and was arrested and taken to the hail, where he refused a breath test.

Simpson posted a $12,000 bail Saturday afternoon. Formal charges are still pending.

According to Sports Illustrated, Simpson was suspended by the NFL for the first three games of last season after pleading guilty to a drug-related charge last March.

“The Vikings are aware of the matter involving Jerome Simpson,” the team said in a statement. “We are continuing to gather information and will have further comment at the appropriate time.”

Last January, Jerome Simpson was indicted on drug charges in Covington, Kentucky. Four months prior to the indictment, federal officials confiscated a packaged containing 2.5 pounds of marijuana that was being shipped to Simpson’s Kentucky home from California. Investigators also found six pounds of marijuana inside his home, along with various drug paraphernalia. He faced up to five years in prison if convicted.

On April 5, 2012, Simpson was sentenced to 15 days in jail, 200 hours of community service, and three years probation.

At the time of his indictment, Simpson was playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected the North Carolina native in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Jerome Simpsons leads the Minnesota Vikings with 491 receiving yards. He also has 33 receptions this season.