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Cameron Payne called himself “Terry Johnson” in a police bodycam video.

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Cameron Payne called himself “Terry Johnson” in a police bodycam video.

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Former Phoenix Suns point guard Cameron Payne identified himself as “Terry Johnson” in a police body camera video when he was arrested after police were called about a disturbance with his girlfriend on June 14 in Scottsdale .

He also gave his date of birth as January 1, 1998, while it was August 8, 1994. The current New York Knicks guard identified the correct state as Payne was born in Memphis, Tennessee.

Payne was arrested on suspicion of making a false police report.

Officer Kurt Farner was the arresting officer, Scottsdale police records confirmed to the Arizona Republic back in June. Payne refused to provide a truthful name and made a false report to law enforcement.

Payne was booked into the Scottsdale City Jail and later released.

In the nine-minute video, Payne, who was wearing jewelry, a black hat and a shirt, explained that he and his girlfriend had an “argument” in the area of ​​68th Street and Chaparral Road.

Payne said he called 9-1-1.

When police pressed Payne to give his name and told him he would be arrested if he didn't, Payne said “Terry Johnson” twice, even after his girlfriend identified him as Cameron.

After a continuous conversation between the two officers, during which Payne became more irritable by the minute, the three ended up in what appeared to be a hallway in front of the main door. Payne told officers that he had given his name when he called 911 and asked if they had it from the woman who took his information on the phone.

Payne became increasingly frustrated and finally revealed his real name.

“My name is Cameron Payne,” said Payne, who then uttered an expletive and asked the two officers to leave.

When police asked if that was his real name, Payne said, “No, that's my fake name.”

This led to Payne saying: “Arrest me for telling you a fake name, congratulations.”

Officers then arrested Payne around 2:44 a.m. based on the bodycam footage, telling him it was “the stupidest way to get arrested.”

As they led Payne out, he asked for shoes but was not allowed to have any and was read the charge.

Payne, 29, is a fan favorite for his energy and enthusiasm and played four seasons for the Suns (2019-23). He was part of the 2020-21 squad that reached the 2021 NBA Finals.

When Payne initially said his name was Terry Johnson, the officer with the body camera spelled Terry as “TERRY.”

Payne said “yes” and then spelled Johnson “JOHNSON.” Payne was then asked to provide his birthday.

In response, he laughed and said again, “I'm fine.” Payne asked the second officer to leave the house.

“You have your information,” Payne said, motioning for him to leave as his girlfriend stood and watched. The officer explained why they needed Payne's information.

“What if we leave here and she's too scared to tell us, 'Hey, you strangled me?'” the second officer said to Payne.

The officer with the body camera explained the importance of providing his date of birth to verify who he was. Payne ended up giving the wrong date for his birth date.

The officer tells Payne that he wanted to check the date of birth because he wonders if Payne made it up. In response, Payne said, “That’s fine.”

Payne repeatedly emphasized that it was his house. The friend remained present in the area.

Payne was eventually arrested.

The conversation initially began with Payne refusing to give his name when asked by the officer.

“I don’t have to tell you my name,” Payne said after the officer said he called 9-1-1. “I have no reason to. I told you I made a mistake.”

(This story has been updated to change or add a video.)

Do you have an opinion on the current state of the suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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