Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots captain, arrested in Braintree, Massachusetts on assault and drug charges
BRAINTREE – Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots safety and team captain, pleaded not guilty Monday to assault and drug charges after he was arrested over the weekend in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Braintree police announced Peppers' arrest on Monday, shortly before he was arraigned in Quincy District Court.
Jabrill Peppers arrest
Braintree police said they responded to an altercation between two people Saturday around 4 a.m.
According to court documents, a woman told police that Peppers hit her, choked her, took off her clothing, and put her outside. She reported that he choked her at least six times and she did not lose consciousness.
The woman also accused Peppers of pushing her down the stairs. Police said she refused to go to a hospital and was treated at the home for her injuries.
Peppers answered the door shirtless, nodding his head and telling police, "I know what is going on," according to the documents. He was arrested without incident.
Court documents state Peppers later told police that he repeatedly asked the woman to leave his apartment and he denied putting his hands on her.
Police said they found a clear plastic bag containing a white powder inside Peppers' wallet, which later tested positive for cocaine.
Jabrill Peppers charges
Peppers was charged with assault and battery on an intimate partner, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B drug.
In court Monday morning, Peppers was asked by the judge if he was aware of the allegations and that a not guilty plea had been entered on all counts. He responded, "Yes sir."
Before Peppers was released on the $2,500 bail he posted on Saturday, prosecutors asked that he have no contact with the female victim in the case. Peppers' attorney Marc Brofsky agreed to the request.
"Judge, despite the fact that this is the case where there is evidence I have already seen that sheds real doubt on the allegations, including videotaped evidence, my client will not object to that condition and he'll agree to the same thing," Brofsky said.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 22, though Peppers waived his right to appear in court that day.
Peppers declined comment while leaving the courthouse.
"What I said in the courtroom I'll repeat. We have evidence that completely contradicts the alleged victim's story. I expect my client to be fully exonerated," Brofsky told reporters.
Patriots "gathering information"
The New England Patriots released a brief statement following Peppers' arrest.
"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 team said.
Patriots Head coach Jerod Mayo said on WEEI Monday morning that the team is still "gathering information," but added that Peppers is still on the team.
"I don't think anyone knows the facts or anything like that. It's a process," Mayo said.
A short time later, during his regularly scheduled conference call with the media, Mayo was asked if Peppers would be put on the NFL commissioner's exempt list.
"We informed the NFL and we're still gathering information. I know the team put out a statement earlier today," Mayo said. "I'm not sure how the league and how we are going to handle that going forward but we should have some more information over the next few days."
Mayo was asked if Peppers would be allowed back with the team going forward.
"He's not in the building today, he has his court appearance. As we gather information, he can definitely be in the building. We don't know enough to say that he shouldn't be in the building," Mayo said.
Michael McCann, director of the UNH Sports Law Institute, says the NFL does take charges like these seriously, pointing to unpaid suspensions of other players. "The league's steps have to be married to the legal process that the league has agreed to with the union," McCann said.
Who is Jabrill Peppers?
Peppers, who turned 29 years old on Friday, did not play Sunday in the team's loss to the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro due to a shoulder injury. He had an interception the previous week against the San Francisco 49ers.
Peppers was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. After two seasons in Cleveland, he was traded to the New York Giants. The Patriots signed Peppers as a free agent in 2022.
In July, Peppers signed a three-year extension worth up to $30 million. Mayo named Peppers as a team captain this year as well.
Peppers is one of several players in the NFL who has been playing with a soft-shell Guardian Cap aimed at preventing head injuries.
The Patriots are now 1-4 on the season following Sunday's loss at Gillette Stadium.
