Backstreet Boy Nick Carter Arrested

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Backstreet Boy Nick Carter was arrested on suspicion of refusing to follow police officers' orders to leave a nightclub after a fight broke out.

The youngest of the five-member pop group at age 21, Carter was charged early Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of resisting/opposing a law enforcement officer without violence. He was handcuffed, placed in a squad car and released on his own recognizance.

His first court appearance is set for March 4, Tampa Police spokesman Joe Durkin said Thursday. Police were called to the Pop City nightclub early Tuesday evening because of a fight. They returned to the nightclub later in the night to break up another disturbance. While officers made arrests and tried to restore peace, Carter became involved in an argument with a woman, according to the arrest affidavit.

He was told to leave the nightclub more than 10 times until officers told him to leave by "the count of 3" or he would be arrested. Carter continued the argument and was arrested, the affidavit said. "Outside of who this defendant is, it's not that unusual a thing to happen," Durkin said.

Carter, who lives outside Tampa, is the second Backstreet Boy to run into trouble in recent months. In July, A.J. McLean spent time at a rehabilitation center for depression and alcohol abuse, forcing the group to postpone its U.S. and Canadian tour. McLean, who turns 24 next week, has said he's been sober ever since.

Sonya Muckle, vice president of publicity for Jive Records, the Backstreet Boys' label, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.