MINNESOTA T'WOLVES FORWARD DANTE CUNNINGHAM ARRESTED TWICE IN ONE WEEK FOR CHOKING OUT HIS GIRLFRIEND

DANTE CUNNINGHAM

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Dante Cunningham was charged Friday with assault after being accused of choking his girlfriend during an argument.

 

KSPT.com reports that Cunningham was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon on ”suspicion of [terroristic] threats,” three days after he was arrested on alleged domestic abuse charges.

“The situation with Dante Cunningham is very fluid and we continue to monitor all available information,” the Timberwolves said in a press statement. “We reiterate that the Minnesota Timberwolves do not condone the behavior described in the accusations. We continue to wait for the legal process to run its course and will have further comment when appropriate.”

According to Minnesota law, a “terroristic threats” charge applies in situations where someone directly or indirectly threatens to commit violence with the purpose of terrorizing someone else.

The Associated Press reported Monday that Cunningham communicated the threats via text message and that he turned over his computer and cell phone to police for use during their investigation.

Police said they received a call from the woman in the early morning hours on Sunday saying that Cunningham had violated a protection order by contacting her.

”When the officer arrived and reviewed the messages, they were direct and rose to a terroristic level,” the police statement read.

Cunningham allegedly choked his girlfriend in the first incident, according to the AP. He has been charged with one felony count of domestic assault by strangulation.

The woman, who is not named in the complaint, told police he kicked down a locked bedroom door, grabbed her around the neck and slammed her against the wall, choking her for 15 to 20 seconds during which she could not breathe.

”Victim’s eyes were watering and she felt like she was being strangled to death,” the complaint alleges.

The Star-Tribune reports that Cunningham was released after he posted $40,000 bail on Friday.

Cunningham did not play for the Timberwolves during a Friday night overtime victory over the Heat in Miami, but he did rejoin the team on Saturday, finishing with 12 points and six rebounds while playing 33 minutes in a road loss to the Magic.

The Timberwolves initially released a statement regarding Cunningham’s first arrest on Thursday.

“We are aware of the matter involving Dante Cunningham and are in the process of gathering more information,” the statement read. “The Minnesota Timberwolves organization takes the matter very seriously and does not condone the type of behavior that is associated with this situation. However, we need to let the legal process run its course, and will have further comment at the appropriate time.”

Back in 2011, Cunningham was arrested in Pennsylvania after a loaded BB gun, marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia were found in his vehicle after he was pulled over for allegedly speeding and driving recklessly.

Cunningham, 26, is averaging 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 20 minutes per game over 75 appearances this season. He’s in the final season of a three-year, $6.3 million contract with the Timberwolves. The 2009 second-round pick holds career averages of 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds over five seasons with the Blazers, Bobcats, Grizzlies and Timberwolves.

Minnesota (38-38) is out of playoff contention for the 10th straight season.