Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has been admitted into a pretrial diversion program, potentially sparing him from facing trial in connection with an arrest from last autumn, as per a city official’s statement on Wednesday.
“This does not signify dismissal in any manner,” stated Kenner spokesperson Valerie Brolin. “Once all obligations and conditions are met, the case may be concluded, but it does not equate to dismissal.”
Thomas had been charged with simple battery and criminal mischief after an altercation with a construction worker near his residence on November 10.
The worker informed authorities that Thomas had started shouting at him regarding parking in front of his residence and had “verbally threatened to harm him.”
Subsequently, Thomas allegedly grabbed a brick and threw it at a truck window, causing minimal damage, as reported by the worker.
Following this, Thomas purportedly knocked the victim’s phone from his hand, pushed him, and insisted on not being recorded, according to the police.
In Kenner, pretrial diversion serves as a probationary period of approximately six months for first-time offenders, Brolin clarified. Alongside abstaining from further arrests during this period, participants may be required to attend classes, undergo treatment, and pay fines. Upon fulfilling the program’s requirements, the case is closed, and charges are expunged from the individual’s record.
Thomas, aged 31, attained All-Pro status in both 2018 and 2019 but has encountered challenges with injuries since then, participating in only 20 games over the past four seasons.
In 2019, Thomas achieved an NFL record with 149 receptions in a single season. The recently concluded season marked Thomas’ final year under contract with New Orleans, and he has yet to secure a deal with another team.
