Chris 'Birdman' Andersen Investigation: Nuggets Forward Reportedly A Target Of Extortion

The Denver Post is reporting that Denver Nuggets F Chris Andersen may in fact be a target of extortion from a California resident. In a statement released from Andersen's legal team, the landscape of the current investigation begins to change dramatically:

In the statement, Colin Bresee, an attorney for Andersen, suggested that a woman from California has has tried to get items of value from Andersen. The statement reads:

"A female fan in 2010 mailed Mr. Andersen multiple letters and included several photos in which she was scantily clad. Chris and this woman communicated with each other and in 2011, this woman, who represented herself as 21 years of age, flew to Colorado, showing her required identification. After leaving Colorado, she became upset at his lack of interest. In 2012, she threatened to retaliate if he did not provide financial remuneration. "

Agents from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office executed a warrant on Andersen's Colorado home on Thursday morning as a part of an ongoing investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Andersen has subsequently been excused indefinitely from team activities to deal with his legal issue.

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Chris 'Birdman' Andersen Investigation: Nuggets Forward Excused Indefinitely From Team Activities

Denver Nuggets forward, Chris Andersen, presently embroiled in an ongoing investigation concerning potential internet crimes against children, has been excused from team activities, according to a press release from the team:

The Denver Nuggets are aware of today’s media reports involving forward/center Chris Andersen. It involves a legal investigation and we are awaiting further details. Chris has been excused from all team-related activities indefinitely as he deals with the reported investigation. Per team policy, the Nuggets will not comment on any ongoing legal circumstance involving any player or employee.

On Thursday morning, officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office executed a warrant on Andersen's property, but made no arrests.

Andersen, a bench player for the Nuggets, was not expected to play in Thursday night's key Game 6 matchup. He played in 32 games for the Nuggets in the 2011-12 NBA Season, scoring and average of 5.3 points per game.

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Chris 'Birdman' Andersen Investigation: Documents Show At Least 1 Other Resident, According To Report

Certainly news about a search warrant executed by the Douglas County internet Crimes Against Children at the home of Denver Nuggets' forward Chris Andersen is troubling news, but with few details released about the investigation there shouldn't be a rush to judgment on the player's involvement or lack thereof in what is going on.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has released a statement on the issue:

WHAT: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Executes Search Warrant At Larkspur Residence

NARRATIVE: On 05/10/12 The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) executed a Search warrant at Christopher C. Andersen (33 YO) residence in Larkspur CO.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit began investigating Andersen in February 2012 in reference information that was provided by a law enforcement agency in California.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office took over the criminal investigation at that time.

DCSO has recovered property from the residence that we believe is connected to this case.

This is a search warrant and no arrests have been made.

This is an active and on-going investigation and no further information is available at this time.

The release specifically mentions that it began investigating Andersen back in February, but as the Denver Post reports, there is at least one other person residing at the house. Could this other person be involved in the case or is Andersen the main target? We will need to wait and see.

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Chris 'Birdman' Andersen's Home Searched In Connection To 'Ongoing Investigation,' According To Report

The Denver Nuggets forward is under investigation for his potential connections to sexually exploitive behavior towards children.