On Friday, the NFL took action by placing Indianapolis Colts tight end Drew Ogletree on the commissioner’s exempt list following his arrest on domestic violence charges. Players on this list are prohibited from practicing or attending games. Ogletree’s arrest occurred in Hendricks County, Indiana, after Avon police sought a warrant following their investigation into a Tuesday night altercation at a residence.
Ogletree faces two Level 6 felonies: domestic violence committed in the presence of a child under 16 and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, as per jail records. Level 6 felonies carry a maximum penalty of 2½ years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. As of early Saturday afternoon, Ogletree remained in custody without bond.
According to Avon police, officers responded to a domestic disturbance between Ogletree and a woman on Tuesday. The first officer on the scene reported in a probable cause affidavit that the woman was found in an upstairs bedroom in distress, stating that Ogletree had “body slammed” her to the ground during an argument about messages on his phone. She claimed Ogletree stood over her, declaring, “They will never believe you.” The incident occurred while the woman was on the phone with her sister, who contacted the police.
Emergency services were called, and the woman was taken to the hospital. Photographs of her injuries, including back swelling, were documented at the hospital. The confrontation took place with Ogletree’s young son in the home. Following further investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on Thursday, leading to Ogletree turning himself into the Hendricks County Jail on Friday.
In response to the allegations, the Colts released a statement on Friday, deeming them “disturbing” and expressing their commitment to taking such matters seriously. The team notified the NFL and is actively gathering more information.
Ogletree, a 2022 sixth-round pick, spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve due to a torn ACL. This season, he played in 12 games, securing nine passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, participating in 40% of the Colts’ offensive snaps and 33% of special teams snaps.
Efforts to contact Ogletree’s listed attorney were unsuccessful. The Colts, currently vying for a spot in the AFC playoffs, are set to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in a pivotal game for their postseason aspirations.
