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An attorney for Barkevious Mingo blasted the Atlanta Falcons on Monday for their “rush to judgment” in releasing the linebacker after he was charged with indecency with a child-sexual contact, a second-degree felony.

The Falcons released Mingo late Saturday night following his arrest on Thursday outside Dallas.



“We are extremely disappointed in the Atlanta Falcons’ rush to judgment in terminating Barkevious Mingo’s contract before gathering all of the relevant facts and prior to my client having his day in court,” Chris Lewis said in a statement to ESPN on Monday. “The accusation against Mr. Mingo is a lie. Barkevious knows it — so does his accuser.”

Mingo, 30, was released on $25,000 bond Friday, per Tarrant County records. If convicted, Mingo faces 20 years in prison, the maximum penalty.

The charges stem from an alleged incident with a boy younger than 17 over the July 4 weekend in 2019, Sports Illustrated reported over the weekend, citing an Arlington (Texas) Police Department search warrant. Allegations were brought to Arlington PD in January 2021, prompting an investigation.

The Falcons signed Mingo to a one-year, $1.25 million deal on March 23 to provide depth at linebacker and on special teams.



The No. 6 overall pick in 2013, Mingo is well-traveled, playing his first three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, then one season each with New England, Indianapolis, Seattle, Houston and Chicago.

In 126 career games (40 starts), he has 255 tackles, 12.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries, one interception and 16 passes defensed.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)