ASU DT George Lea charged with misdemeanors in BB gun incident

Facing possible felony charges stemming from a campus BB-gun incident, Arizona State freshman defensive tackle George Lea instead has been been charged with one misdemeanor count of threatening/intimidating to cause injury and one misdemeanor count of assault with the intent to cause fear of physical injury.

Lea's arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 in University Lakes Justice Court.

On June 22, ASU Police arrested Lea on suspicion of first-degree burglary involving a weapon; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; and unlawful imprisonment. According to ASU police, Lea walked into a teammate's Tempe apartment and pointed the BB gun -- wrapped in a towel -- at a teammate and said, "I heard this is where all the money is at."

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Lea told police he made it clear he was only holding a BB gun, but the teammate told police he feared for his safety. A witness -- also an ASU football player -- told police he thought Lea was "probably playing around," but added that Lea's demeanor appeared serious.

Per team policy, ASU coach Todd Graham suspended Lea from all football-related activities. Lea also likely will face discipline for violating the Arizona Board of Regents' Student Code of Conduct, which states students cannot have a weapon of any kind on campus without permission.

Lea -- out of Landry-Walker High in New Orleans -- enrolled in ASU early and participated in spring practice. At the time, Graham said the defensive lineman had a chance to compete this season as a true freshman. The Sun Devils are scheduled to open preseason camp Aug. 5.

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