Former Twins star and Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett has been charged with felony and misdemeanor counts for an alleged sexual assault. The Hennepin County attorney's office accuses Puckett of dragging a women into a restaurant bathroom last month and groping her.

	Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett was charged Friday with dragging a woman into a restaurant bathroom last month and grabbing her breast. (MPR file photo)

Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar says Puckett allegedly grabbed the woman at 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 6 and dragged her into the men's bathroom of an Eden Prairie restaurant. The woman said Puckett tried pushing her into a stall, reached around her and grabbed her breasts.

Klobuchar says Puckett released the alleged victim after her friend yelled into the bathroom. Klobuchar says the alleged victim complained to restaurant staff and then called police.

"We have an independent witness who is not a friend or family member of either the victim or Mr. Puckett, who observed Mr. Puckett dragging the victim into the men's bathroom and then saw her come out looking scared. To the point that he actually asked her if she was OK," according to Klobuchar.

Klobuchar says the woman reported bruises on her arm, breast and ankle. Klobuchar says there's significant evidence to charge Puckett with a felony count of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of criminal sexual conduct. She says Puckett's celebrity status may pose a challenge for a jury.

"Like most Minnesotans, I remember watching Kirby Puckett win two World Series and is remembered as a great Hall of Fame baseball player in this state. That night in that bar, he was no one's hero," she said.

If convicted Puckett could face up to four years in jail and $8,000 in fines, but Klobuchar says Puckett would likely face workhouse time and probation for a first-time offense.

Puckett's attorneys did not return calls seeking comment on the charges. Attorney Chris Madel told the Associated Press that "the only reason Kirby Puckett was charged today is because he is a famous person." He told the AP they'll beat the charges in court.

The Minnesota Twins released a statement saying the organization takes the allegations seriously and intend to monitor the situation closely.

During his 11-year career, Puckett made 10 All Star appearances, won six Gold Glove awards and led the Twins to world championships in 1987 and 1991. He dazzled fans with his constant smile both on and off the field.

During a speech to a group of students at a St. Paul high school in 2001, Puckett said he relished his relationship with fans.

"I smiled, I signed autographs for the kids, I shook their hands. I saw what a difference I made in these kids' lives by giving them baseballs and throwing a baseball in the stands every now and then. And I still get letters from people today that say 'When I was a kid' ... I must be getting old now when people say 'Mr. Puckett, when I was a kid, you threw me a baseball in Milwaukee County Stadium and I kept it and you signed it for me. You're my hero,'" Puckett said.

Puckett has long enjoyed a warm relationship with Twins fans, many of whom drove to Cooperstown for Puckett's induction ceremony. Ron Cavanaugh of Bloomington was among them. He said at the time he respected Puckett for his actions off the field as well as on.

"One of the things he stands for, he stands for is cleanliness. He stands for politeness, he stands for being your best, doing the best. He's talked a number of times about kids staying out of trouble, so he's just a good role model for kids and adults," he said at the time.

Tom Horner, president of the Twin Cities public relations company Himle Horner, says the charges slightly tarnish Puckett's image. He says Puckett needs to own up to the charges if they are true and apologize. Horner say fans may then be inclined to forgive Puckett.

"If he comes out and talks about his role, talks about what he's going to do, acknowledges that what he did was grossly inappropriate -- if the charges are correct -- and then moves on from there, I think people will accept that in time," he said.

Puckett has been ordered to report for booking on Monday.