Former USC wide receiver Joseph Lewis IV, who pleaded no contest to a pair of misdemeanor domestic violence charges earlier this year, is now facing a felony charge for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Lewis, 18, allegedly punched, scratched and choked the victim on July 18, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He was charged with a felony count of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, girlfriend or child’s parent. Lewis pleaded not guilty to the charge on Friday.
He is due back in court in downtown Los Angeles Aug. 2 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
Lewis pleaded no contest in May to two misdemeanor counts of domestic battery with an injury stemming from his arrest in February. It was unclear if that case involved the same alleged victim as the one involved in his latest arrest.
Lewis was sentenced in May to 60 days in county jail, 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling, three years on probation and a $500 domestic violence fine, along with being ordered to stay away from the victim.
Lewis was arrested Feb. 8 by Los Angeles police and later released on $50,000 bond. The District Attorney’s Office declined to file felony charges against Lewis in that case, instead referring the matter to the City Attorney’s Office, which filed the misdemeanor case March 6.
Lewis — who caught four passes for 39 yards in 11 games as a freshman in the 2017 season — was suspended from all team activities after his arrest and is no longer on the roster.
>> Want to read more stories like this? Get our Free Daily Newsletters Here!