New England Patriots safety and team captain Jabrill Peppers was arrested on multiple charges, including assault and strangulation, following an incident with his girlfriend over the weekend, according to Braintree police.
Peppers, 29, appeared in Quincy District Court on Monday, where not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf. The charges include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a suspected Class B substance, believed to be cocaine, court documents show.
According to police reports, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call early Saturday morning. The alleged victim told authorities that Peppers choked her multiple times and forcibly removed her from the residence after she received a phone call while they were in bed.
When police arrived, Peppers reportedly answered the door shirtless, acknowledging the situation. He was arrested without incident.
The woman received on-site treatment for her injuries but declined hospitalization, police said.
Authorities also reported finding a plastic bag containing a white powder at the scene, which later tested positive for cocaine.
Peppers was released on $2,500 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 22, though he has been allowed to waive his appearance.
Marc Brofsky, Peppers’s attorney, stated in court that evidence, including video footage, “sheds real doubt on the allegations.” Peppers has agreed to avoid contact with the alleged victim.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that the organization is still gathering information about the incident. Mayo confirmed that Peppers will be allowed at team facilities for now, stating, “We don’t know enough to say he shouldn’t be in the building.”
Mayo added that the situation has been addressed with the team and that they expect to learn more about potential NFL action in the coming days.
Peppers, who is currently dealing with a shoulder injury, did not play in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. He is in his third season with the Patriots after previous stints with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants.
In a video posted on X by Patriots reporter and columnist Andrew Callahan, when asked by reporters Peppers didn’t comment on the assault charges, but his attorney again confirmed evidence exists that contradicts the allegations.
Speaking to reporters, Brofsky said Peppers is “not going to comment now.”
“But what I said in the courtroom, I’ll repeat, that we have evidence that completely contradicts the alleged victim’s story and I expect my client to be fully exonerated.”
He said the evidence included video evidence and other evidence.
Peppers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by NTD News regarding the allegations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report