UCLA defensive back Ishmael Adams was charged Monday with misdemeanor battery in connection with an altercation with an Uber driver this summer, according to the City Attorney’s Office.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the new charge would have an effect on Adams playing in Thursday night’s scheduled matchup against Cal. A UCLA spokesperson would say only that for the time being, Adams is an active member of the team. UCLA started the season rated among the nation’s top football squads, but the Bruins have gone 4-2 so far this season and have dropped out of the top 20. Adams missed the first three games of the season due to his arrest.
Adams is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 16 at the Airport Courthouse.
The District Attorney’s Office previously declined to file felony charges against Adams, who was originally arrested on suspicion of stealing a cell phone from the Uber driver. He was reinstated to the Bruins football team when prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges. He had been suspended following his arrest, causing him to miss those first three games.
When Adams was reinstated, Coach Jim Mora said Adams had shown remorse and “accepted responsibility.”
UCLA athletics spokesman Steve Rourke told City News Service Monday after the misdemeanor charge was announced that the university was not planning to make a statement but that Adams remains an active member of the team.
Adams, 21, was arrested by UCLA campus police about 3:35 a.m. Aug. 30, and was booked on suspicion of robbery. He posted bail of $100,000 and was released early on Sept. 1.
Adams started all 26 games for the Bruins in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He returned two intercepted passes for touchdowns in 2014, tying the school record. He also scored a touchdown on a 100-yard kickoff return against Arizona State. Adams led UCLA with four interceptions in 2013.
Adams is a graduate of Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village. Adams’ father, Stefon, played defensive back for the Los Angeles Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins from 1986-90.
— Wire reports