New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers was arrested on Saturday in Braintree, Massachusetts, following a disturbance at a residence. Police responded to a call early in the morning reporting an altercation between two people.
Peppers was later charged with several offenses, including assault and battery, strangulation, and drug possession. The drug involved is suspected to be cocaine, found in a clear bag confiscated by officers at the scene. Peppers was taken into custody and arraigned on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The police report details allegations made by a woman who claimed Peppers physically assaulted her during the incident. She told officers that Peppers struck her, choked her multiple times, removed her clothing, and forced her outside. Additionally, she stated that he shoved her into a wall, causing her head to hit it, and repeatedly put his hands around her neck. The woman, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Peppers for three years, sustained injuries to her face and knees, which were treated at her home.
In court, Peppers’ attorney, Marc Brofsky, argued that evidence, including video footage, would challenge the credibility of the accusations. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Peppers was granted bail at $2,500 and ordered to have no further contact with the woman. His next court date is set for November 22, though he may waive his appearance. Both the Patriots and the NFL acknowledged the incident and confirmed they are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Peppers did not play in the Patriots’ recent 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, having been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. He had been limited in practice leading up to the game, and the team officially declared his absence on Saturday. His legal troubles came to light that same day. Despite the severity of the situation, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo revealed that Peppers had informed him of the incident and that the team was staying in contact with the NFL for updates.
Coach Mayo also confirmed that Peppers remains allowed at the Patriots’ facilities for now, as the team continues to gather more information. He emphasized that they do not yet know enough about the case to make any further decisions regarding Peppers’ status with the team. The 29-year-old safety had signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Patriots in July, further cementing his role as a team captain before the weekend’s events unfolded.
