New police documents are shedding more light on the arrest that led to Ben Cleveland’s release from the Los Angeles Chargers last month.
An Oconee County Sheriff’s Office incident report, obtained by the California Post, states Cleveland was stopped by cops at around 9:23 a.m. on July 16 after he had allegedly been hitting speeds of 72 mph in a 55 mph zone on an Oconee County, Ga. highway.
“I approached the driver’s side door and identified myself,” an Oconee County Sheriff’s Office deputy wrote in the report. Cleveland “stated he knew I stopped him due to his speed.”
The officer claimed Cleveland then handed him an “old” driver’s license, and a short time later, dispatch advised that the NFL player actually had a limited driving permit due to a previous DUI charge.
Cleveland allegedly then admitted to another deputy who had arrived on the scene that he “was not driving to work or to home as stated in the Limited Permit conditions.”
“I asked the Driver to exit his vehicle and walk to the back of his truck,” an Oconee County Sheriff’s Office deputy stated in the report. “Driver was placed under arrest. I advised the Driver he was under arrest for violating the Limited Permit conditions.”
Authorities noted in the document that they used two sets of handcuffs on the offensive lineman and placed his hands in front of his body “because he is approximately 6’7, 315 lbs.”
Cleveland was taken to nearby police station and cited for violation of conditions on limited driving permit and speeding before he was released from custody.
Less than two weeks later, the Chargers announced they had cut the 27-year-old guard.
Cleveland, who signed with the Chargers in January following five seasons in Baltimore, was previously arrested in February 2025 for driving under in the influence.
He pleaded guilty to one count of DUI in November 2025 to close out the case, and was sentenced to probation as well as community service, according to court records.
He has remained a free agent since his Chargers release.
