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49ers LB Foster Arrested On Domestic Violence, Assault Weapon Charges

SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- For the second time in the last four weeks, San Francisco 49ers young star linebacker Reuben Foster is in trouble with the law.

According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department jail website, Foster was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges relating to domestic violence. The 23-year-old was arrested in Los Gatos and was released on $75,000 bail.

Authorities said police responded at 9:15 a.m. to a home on Shannon Road to do a welfare check and check on a possible disturbance. Officers spoke with the victim and Foster and as a result of an investigation Foster was arrested and taken to jail.

The 49ers issued a statement saying: "The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the report regarding Reuben Foster. We take matters of this nature seriously and are gathering all pertinent information."

Calls to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department were not immediately returned Sunday.

Recordings of police dispatchers indicated that Foster was found to be in possession of at least two AR-16 assault rifles.

Foster was arrested in mid-January while being back in Tuscaloosa, Ala. where he starred for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. He has been charged with second-degree marijuana possession.

Foster is coming off an outstanding rookie season despite suffering an ankle sprain that sidelined him for five games. He was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for November and finished the season ranked second on the team in tackles (72).

The team had hoped it had put its legal troubles behind them. Last spring, cornerback Tramaine Brock was arrested on domestic violence and immediately cut by the team.

Prosecutors later dropped the charges due insufficient evidence, but the team said it would have no tolerance for players even if they charged.

Foster could face a six-game suspension from the NFL if he is formally charged with domestic violence. A second charge could lead to a lifetime ban.

The latest arrest has continued a pattern for the 49ers. Despite changes in both the coaching staff and the front office, the team has had an ongoing problem with players getting into legal trouble.

17 49ers have been arrested since 2012, the most in the NFL for that period of time.

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