Patriots' draft pick Dennard waives prelim hearing

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) New England Patriots seventh-round draft pick Alfonzo Dennard will be arraigned May 30 in Lancaster County District Court on a charge of third-degree felony assault of a police officer.

The former Nebraska cornerback waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday. He remains free on a $5,000 bond.

Dennard is accused of striking an officer during a disturbance outside a Lincoln bar April 21, five days before the NFL draft started. He was the 2011 Big Ten defensive back of the year and had been projected to be a second-or third-round pick before his arrest.

If convicted, he could face five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Updated May 15, 2012