Calif. prosecutor: Penn to be charged with battery

The Associated Press, Friday, February 19, 2010, 11:12am (PST)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California prosecutors say Sean Penn faces battery and vandalism charges stemming from an altercation with a photographer in Brentwood last fall.

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Spokesman Frank Mateljan with the Los Angeles city attorney's office says the two misdemeanor counts were expected to be filed later Friday.

A phone message for Penn's attorney, Barry Hirsch, was not immediately returned.

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Mateljan says Penn kicked a photographer during a dustup in October. The photographer's camera also was damaged.

If convicted, Penn could face up to 18 months in jail.