JR Smith charged with criminal mischief for breaking fan's phone
By admin - 2019-01-25 01:12:15

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith turned himself in to police Friday on charges of criminal mischief after allegedly breaking a fan’s phone outside a popular New York City bar last month.

According to NBC Sports, Smith, whose real name is Earl Joseph Smith, was issued what New York police call a “desk appearance” to appear in court sometime in September, according to New York City police spokeswoman Det. Sophia Mason.

The incident happened July 29 in front of the The Park restaurant in the Chelsea neighborhood, Mason said. Someone tried to take a photo of Smith, 32, as he walked out of the restaurant, Mason said, and Smith grabbed the person’s phone and threw it, breaking the phone.  He was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Cavs spokesman Ted Carper said in an email that the team is aware of the incident and Smith’s personal attorney is handling the case.

Smith had a brush with the law just last year. In Septemer of 2017, Smith reportedly drove his 2016 Dodge Charger recklessly in Bay Village around 1:20 a.m. on Lake Road. Westlake police spotted the car speeding along Interstate 90 and notified Bay Village police. Bay Village police tried to stop his car and Smith pulled into a neighbor’s driveway, police reports say. He reortedly pleaded guilty to willful and wanton disregard of safety and was fined $150.