Former Cleveland Indians Joe Charboneau arrested, charged with domestic violence against wife

Former Cleveland Indians outfielder Joe Charboneau is facing multiple criminal charges in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident against his wife last Friday in Berea.

Witnesses told officers they saw Charboneau kick his 52-year-old wife in the backside and later shove her to the ground following an argument at Tony K's Bar & Grille on West Bagley Road. Surveilance footage from the establishment confirmed the altercation, according to a police report, and Charboneau allegedly also threw beer at his wife and other patrons before the pair left together.

Someone at the bar called 911, and after an employee recognized Charboneau authorities went to his and his wife's apartment in Olmsted Falls to further investigate. Officers claimed to have found "multiple broken items and turned over furniture" inside the home, although Charboneau's wife denied he assaulted her and told them he had left.

Charboneau later returned (presumably from another nearby bar) and was subsequently placed under arrest, with police describing him as "highly intoxicated" and "exhibiting physiological effects of drug abuse." He was then taken to the Berea Police Department for booking, where he apparently became "erratic and aggressive" and attempted to leave, which caused officers to use force to keep him apprehended.

One of the most beloved players in Cleveland history, Charboneau burst on the scene with the Tribe in 1980 by winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award, hitting .289 and belting 23 home runs while earning the adoration of fans. Unfortunately, a litany of injuries would take their toll, and he played his final big-league game just two years later. The 67-year-old has continued to call Northeast Ohio home in the decades since, however.

Charboneau is charged with domestic violence and resisting arrest as well as violating a protection order, which authorities discovered during booking and realized it prohibited him from drinking or doing drugs. In addition, Berea Municipal Court records show he is also facing assault charges from an unrelated 2021 incident in Strongsville.

Charboneau was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty to all charges, with a pre-trial hearing set for Sept. 15. If convicted of all three misdemeanors, he could face more than a year in jail and a fine of almost $3,000.