Former New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers, who currently plays for the New England Patriots, was arrested on Saturday following disturbing accusations made by his girlfriend.
NFL Media reports that Peppers was charged with a slew of crimes, including possession of cocaine and strangulation, among others.
Police said Monday in a statement that it responded to a disturbance at a residential address early on Oct. 5, with the caller indicating an altercation between two people. Peppers was arrested after an ensuing investigation. The victim of the alleged altercation was treated by emergency medical services at the scene.
Peppers will be charged with assault and battery; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; strangulation; and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine, police said.
Peppers was arraigned on Monday at Quincy District Court and entered pleas of “not guilty.” His next scheduled court date is Tuesday, November 22.
The Patriots were made aware of the situation before it hit the papers and they subsequently reached out to the NFL to inform them of the situation.
“We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend in which the police are currently investigating. We will have no further comment at this time,” the Patriots said in a statement.
Peppers denies any wrongdoing and told police that the intoxicated woman injured herself falling down the stairs and made the claims because he “refused to have unprotected sex with her,” reports the New York Post.
“According to Jabrill,” authorities said in the police report, “[the woman] kept acting erratic and refused to leave. According to Jabrill, [the woman] fell by herself on the stairs because she was intoxicated. He denied pushing her down the stairs, and he said that she was making those allegations to destroy his career.”
Police also said they found a bag containing white powder in his wallet, which they claimed he said was cocaine.
As he left court on Monday, Peppers told reporters in attendance that he had evidence that would prove the claims were false. He implied there is video evidence and additional evidence that will exonerate him.
The 29-year-old New Jersey native spent three seasons with the Giants from 2019 through 2021. He’s spent the past two-plus years with the Patriots, where he serves as a defensive captain.
