Andy Dick Lucks Out, D.A. Downgrades Charges
Murrieta Police Department
While there's no debating Andy Dick's latest mug shot is absolutely Silence of the Lambs-esque, California prosecutors apparently don't think his alleged misdeeds are as scary as first reported.
The Riverside County District Attoney's Office confirmed to E! News that it will not seek felony sexual battery charges against the problem-plagued comedian in connection with last month's arrest for allegedly exposing himself to and groping a 17-year-old restaurant patron.
Instead, Dick has been rung up on four misdemeanor charges, according to the newly filed criminal complaint: one count each of battery, possession of marijuana, possession of Xanax without a prescription and public intoxication. (View the criminal complaint.)
The former NewsRadio star was busted in the early morning hours of July 16 in Murietta, Calif., after police fielded a complaint about a man urinating in the parking lot of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant.
After officers arrived, an unidentified teen claimed a drunken Dick accosted her, grabbed her tank top and yanked it to reveal her breasts.
Police booked him on suspicion of felony sexual battery, but the D.A. ultimately deemed Dick more of a misdemeanor nuisance.
"He was arrested on the charge of sexual battery, but after reviewing the evidence presented and the recommendations of the police agency that made the arrest, we decided that the basic assault charge was the appropriate charge in this case," says Riverside D.A. spokesman Ryan Hightower.
"Arrest charges when they come across our desk are recommendations, and that charge just didn't seem to fit."
Dick is still required to turn up for his arraignment, set for Wednesday.
The Big Picture
Women Glow & Men Plunder
Britney embraces local culture by eating Vegemite clothes shopping in the land Down Under
Most Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (913)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Blab Blab Blab: Is Twilight Sexist? (552)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (440)
- Bitch-Back! What's Brad Got to Do With It? (426)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (417)
- Is Ugly Betty Ending? And Who Gets the Girl? (413)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (359)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (333)
Top 10 Stories
- TLC Lets the Door Hit Jon (Not So Much Kate) on the Way Out
- Jennifer Lopez Stumbles for East Coasters Only
- Michael Jackson's Cash-Strapped Doctor Returns to Work
- Taylor Swift Tops Even Michael Jackson at American Music Awards
- Carrie Prejean the Hot Topic at Miss California USA Pageant
- New Moon Makes a Lot of Money (But Not Quite Batman Money)
- Jon (Plus Flowers) & Kate Reunite to Put Finishing Touches on Divorce
- New Moon Eclipses Dark Knight!
- Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray & More Continue Singing Oprah's Praises
- Michael Jackson's Doc Shipped Propofol From Vegas to L.A., Records Show
Fashion Police
Bring On the DramaLeave it to fearless fashionista Rihanna to make the fiercest statement on the AMAs red carpet
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
19 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 19 comments
Now loading...