Banks Arrested in Atlanta Again, Charged With Possession of Drugs

ATLANTA —  Chip Banks, a free agent linebacker who held out rather than play for the Chargers this season, was arrested for the second time in 6 weeks Tuesday afternoon for possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Banks, 29, has been arrested three times this year, in February for possession of marijuana and on Oct. 14 for possession of marijuana and cocaine.

Atlanta police said Banks was arrested in downtown Atlanta when officer B.L. Miller stopped a car in which Banks was a passenger to check an expired tag.

Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, had no comment Wednesday.

According to the police report, the car was driven by George Otis Haynes Jr., 30, who also was arrested for marijuana and cocaine possession as well as several traffic violations.

Banks, an Atlanta resident, was released on $4,050 bond shortly after his arrest, the report said. Haynes was being held on $4,350 bond, according to jail officials.

At best, Banks’ future with the Chargers is uncertain. A 6-year NFL veteran, Banks has not kept in close contact with team officials and has said he really doesn’t consider himself a Charger anymore. He also has said he doesn’t plan to return to the team this season.

Banks and the Chargers reportedly agreed to a new multi-year contract last summer, but Banks refused to report to camp unless he received a signing bonus.

When asked about Banks’ status after the Oct. 14 arrest, Ortmayer said: “Chip Banks has indicated to us that he can take care of his own affairs, and he has chosen to be scarce around here. We’re just assuming that he knows what he’s doing.”