New England Patriots Captain Jabrill Peppers Arrested on Strangulation and Drug Possession Charges

Mar. 15, 2025

Jabrill Peppers.Photo:Michael Owens via AP

Michael Owens via AP

New England Patriots team captain Jabrill Peppers was arrested Saturday on assault and drug possession charges, the morning after celebrating his 29th birthday.

Peppers, who plays safety on the Patriots defense, was absent for the team’s 15-10 loss on Sunday to the Miami Dolphins after being ruled out of the game Saturday, ESPNreported.

The Braintree Police Department confirmed Peppers’ arrest in a statement to PEOPLE and said the NFL star “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 officers responded to a residential address Saturday in the “early morning hours” after someone called 911 and reported “there was an altercation between two people.”

Peppers was arraigned in a Quincy District courtroom on Monday, according to officials.

Jabrill Peppers.Seth Wenig/AP Photo

Seth Wenig/AP Photo

Local CBS Bostonreportedthat Peppers pleaded not guilty to the charges. The outlet reported that in a court filing, a woman accused Peppers of having “hit and choked her multiple times before pushing her down the stairs.”

Peppers was released from custody on $2,500 bail, according to the outlet, which reported the NFL player’s attorney claimed to have seen “videotaped evidence” that casts doubt on the charges.

The Patriots and the team’s head coach Jarod Mayo commented on Peppers’ arrest Monday morning.

“We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend in which the police are currently investigating,” the team said ina statementissued to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

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Patriots head coach Jarod Mayo said he spoke with Peppers on Saturday morning about the incident.

“He called me that morning. I knew what was going on,” Mayotoldlocal WEEI on Monday, during the coach’s weekly call with the sports radio station. “We’ve informed the NFL what was going on and we’re still gathering information.”Mayo said Peppers is still on the team as far as he is aware, when asked about Peppers’ status with the organization. “Yeah, I mean, I don’t think anyone knows the facts or anything like that,” the coach said. “It’s a process.”

Jabrill Peppers.Joe Sargent/Getty

Joe Sargent/Getty

The NFLannouncedin late July that Peppers had signed a three-year contract extension with New England worth up to $30 million.

source: people.com