KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle was charged Monday in federal court for possession of illegal firearms.
Federal prosecutors charged Saousoalii “Junior” Siavii, 40, of Independence with three counts of being an unlawful drug user in possession of firearms.
Siavii — a 2004 second-round draft pick by the Chiefs, widely regarded as one of the franchise's biggest busts — was arrested Saturday in Independence when a witness spotted a stolen vehicle with Siavii allegedly inside.
As police approached the vehicle, Siavii — a 6-foot-5, 330-pound native of American Samoa, who played in college at the University of Oregon — allegedly refused commands, prompting officers to use a Taser on him.
Court documents allege that, as Siavii attempted to get up, a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol fell from his person and a fight ensued between Siavii and officers as they attempted to put the weapon out of his reach.
It wasn’t until another officer was able to put Siavii in a neck restraint, which caused Siavii to briefly lose consciousness, that officers were able to handcuff him.
In a search of Siavii’s backpack, officers located ammunition, 5.2 grams of methamphetamine, 12.2 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Siavii remains in federal custody pending a bond hearing.
Siavii played two seasons for the Chiefs from 2004 to 2005, recording 15 tackles with four for a loss in 26 careers games, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. He was released in training camp in 2006 and needed microfracture surgery on his right knee.
Siavii retured to the NFL with Dallas in 2008-09 and Seattle in 2010 before a bruised spinal cord ended his career.
He was arrested with teammate Greg Wesley in August 2005 during training camp foe a drunken confrontation with a hotel doorman at a Minneapolis hotel. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service for that incident.
