Rodney King faces year in jail if convicted in latest DUI

Rodney G. King Jr. faces a year in jail if convicted on charges of driving under the influence in Moreno Valley.

King, 46, was the subject of the infamous videotaped beating by Los Angeles police in March 1991 that resulted in four officers being tried. Their acquittal led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Since then King has had a number of run-ins with police across Southern California on a variety of complaints, including domestic violence.

On Wednesday, Riverside County prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

King has a prior DUI conviction in San Bernardino County, said John Hall, a spokesman for the Riverside County district attorney's office.

King has said he was using a medical marijuana prescription to deal with back pain.

In the Riverside County case, deputies stopped King last month on Frederick Street after he was allegedly seen committing numerous vehicle violations as he drove an older Mitsubishi.

When deputies spoke to King, he appeared to be under the influence and was arrested. He was taken to jail and later released on $2,500 bail, records show.

King recently appeared on VH1’s "Celebrity Rehab," trying to tackle his fight with alcoholism.

ALSO:

Baby dropped from parking structure dies

Rapper Game investigated in nightclub assault

Jurors can consider lesser charge in gay student shooting

-- Richard Winton

Twitter.com/lacrimes

Photo: Rodney G. King Jr. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times