BRAINTREE, Mass. — Jabrill Peppers, the captain of the New England Patriots, finds himself in legal trouble following an arrest over the weekend on charges including assault, strangulation, and possession of a controlled substance. Authorities allege that the 29-year-old engaged in a violent incident with a girlfriend after she received a phone call while they were in bed together.
Peppers made his first appearance in Quincy District Court on Monday, where he entered not guilty pleas to the various charges, which include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as possession of what is believed to be cocaine classified as a Class “B” substance, according to court filings.
Initial reports from the Braintree police indicate that officers responded to a residence in the early hours of Saturday due to an altercation. Allegations state that Peppers forcefully pushed the woman to the floor, struck her head against a wall, and placed his hands around her neck in an attempt to strangle her. The woman later informed authorities that Peppers had choked her multiple times and coerced her out of the house, although she declined to seek medical attention and was treated for her injuries at the home.
When police arrived, Peppers answered the door without a shirt, reportedly acknowledging the situation by saying, “I know what is going on.” He was taken into custody without any resistance. Law enforcement reported that they discovered a clear plastic bag containing white powder in the residence, which subsequently tested positive for cocaine.
Peppers was released after posting $2,500 bail. While he has a court appearance scheduled for November 22, he has the option to waive his presence.
In defense of his client, Peppers’ attorney, Marc Brofsky, claimed that evidence, including video recordings, raises significant doubts about the allegations. He confirmed that Peppers has agreed to refrain from any contact with the female involved in the case.
Patriots’ coach Jerod Mayo addressed the media on Monday, noting that the team is actively reviewing the circumstances surrounding Peppers’ arrest. For the time being, Peppers will be permitted access to the team’s facilities. Mayo remarked, “We don’t know enough to say he shouldn’t be in the building,” explaining that the organization was informed of the situation on the morning it occurred.
The matter has been communicated to all players, as the team consists of several captains on both the offensive and defensive sides. Mayo emphasized the importance of having an open dialogue about the incident to learn from the experience.
Looking ahead, Mayo indicated that the team anticipates gaining more insights regarding potential implications from the NFL in the forthcoming days.
Peppers, a safety who has been with the Patriots for three seasons, signed an extension with the team over the summer. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017 and played two seasons with them before moving on to the New York Giants for three years. Recently, Peppers has been dealing with a shoulder injury that kept him off the field during the Patriots’ 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
