The Sports Xchange

San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller has been charged with misdemeanor vandalism, CSNBayArea.com reported Monday.

The Santa County District Attorney’s office said the alleged incident occurred March 5 when Miller and his girlfriend were arguing in a parking garage in Santa Clara, Calif. Miller allegedly took his girlfriend’s cell phone and smashed it against a wall.

Miller was originally arrested on a charge of spousal battery, but the girlfriend refused medical attention and did not have any visible injuries.

“Even relatively minor domestic violence incidents can be the first steps on a path that ends in tragedy,” said Jim Demertzis, who supervises the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Family Violence Unit. “That’s why we take all domestic violence cases seriously.”

Miller, 27, was scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Monday. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail.

“The 49ers organization is aware of today’s developments involving Bruce Miller and will continue to monitor these legal proceedings closely,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.

Miller has not been participating in the 49ers’ voluntary offseason program due to the ongoing investigation.

Miller was a seventh-round draft pick in 2011. He has played in 61 career games (42 starts). He has 66 catches for 599 yards and three touchdowns in his career with the 49ers, and has rushed for 48 yards.