Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Armonty Bryant and cornerback De'Ante Saunders (practice squad) were arrested during a traffic stop early Christmas morning, the team announced Saturday.
Saunders, 23, was cited for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and driving 75 mph in a 60 mph zone in Brook Park, Ohio, Ohio Highway Patrol spokesman Craig Cvetan told NFL Media. Saunders refused to take a breath test after being detained, according to the citation, meaning he automatically loses his license for a year.
A handgun belonging to Saunders was taken from the car, and he did not have a concealed carry permit for the gun, Cvetan said. Information about the gun was forwarded to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office for potential charges. Saunders is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Berea Municipal Court on Monday.
Bryant, 25, was not charged with anything, Cvetan said, but he allegedly was carrying Adderall without a prescription at the time of his arrest. Cvetan said they passed along that information to county prosecutors.
We are aware of the arrests of De'Ante Saunders and Armonty Bryant after a traffic stop early Friday morning.
These are charges that we take very seriously. The importance of responsible decision-making is something we continually stress to all members of our organization, which makes it extremely disappointing that these two individuals would put themselves in this situation by making such poor decisions.
*Armonty will be inactive on Sunday for our game against the Chiefs and will not travel with the team to Kansas City so he can tend to this personal legal matter. *
In addition to being a pending legal matter, this incident is subject to the NFL personal conduct policy and we have no further comment at this time.
Scott Taylor of WOIO in Cleveland first reported the arrests.
Bryant has a career-best 5.5 sacks, second most on the Browns this season. Saunders was signed to the practice squad in November.
In May 2013, a week after being drafted by the Browns, Bryant was arrested on a DUI charge in Oklahoma. He pleaded no contest. In college, Bryant also reportedly pleaded no contest for allegedly selling marijuana in a parking lot at East Central University.
