Dave Merritt, the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, was arrested Wednesday and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in Johnson County, Kansas. The Kansas City Star first reported the arrest and subsequent legal filings involving the veteran assistant coach.

The 54-year-old was taken into custody by Overland Park police shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday and booked into the Johnson County jail. According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday by the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, Merritt is accused of "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly" causing bodily harm to his daughter. Under Kansas law, the incident is classified as a domestic violence offense.

Merritt appeared in court via videoconference on Thursday morning, where he entered a plea of not guilty. While he was initially held without bond, records indicate he has since been released after posting bond. He is scheduled for a follow-up court appearance in June.

Representatives for the Overland Park Police Department stated that specific details regarding the circumstances of the arrest were not immediately available for release.

Merritt has been a prominent member of the Chiefs' coaching staff for seven seasons, contributing to the team's multiple recent championship runs. His career in the NFL spans nearly three decades, including four years as a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals before transitioning into coaching.