Las Vegas police discovered Raiders player Charles Snowden “unconscious” in the driver’s seat of a running Jeep Cherokee, precariously positioned on a retaining wall, leading to his arrest for driving under the influence. A forensic analysis indicated that Snowden had a blood-alcohol concentration of approximately .19%, significantly exceeding Nevada’s legal limit of 0.08%.
The 26-year-old defensive end was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after officers responded around midnight to a report regarding a “suspicious” vehicle located at a busy intersection not far from the Las Vegas Strip. Following his arrest, he was released. A Las Vegas justice of the peace has since adjusted the timeline of the case, with Snowden’s arraignment now scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday.
Snowden’s legal representatives acknowledged the situation surrounding the arrest but refrained from providing specific details. The Raiders organization stated they are in touch with NFL officials regarding the matter. In their official statement, the team mentioned, “The club will not comment further as this is a legal matter.” Snowden’s attorneys mentioned that he would be entering a not guilty plea, stating they would address the situation in court, which they felt was the appropriate venue for such matters.
It remains uncertain how this incident might impact Snowden’s position on the team, especially since he has participated in every game this season, including the recent loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Raiders are preparing to face the Atlanta Falcons next Monday in Las Vegas.
An NFL representative confirmed that the league is maintaining communication with the Raiders regarding the situation. According to league policy, Commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to issue a three-game suspension without pay for first-time infractions of the league’s alcohol policy.
The arrest report included comments from a responding officer noting that the driver was unable to respond due to being unconscious, while the vehicle continued to run with its doors locked. It took around 10 minutes for Snowden to regain consciousness and exit the vehicle. Paramedics were called to the scene as the driver was unresponsive and had difficulty remaining awake. The report did not reveal whether Snowden disclosed any information regarding his activities leading to the incident.
This is not the first instance of DUI-related arrests among players of the Raiders since their relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020. The team has been grappling with the aftermath of former player Henry Ruggs’s DUI arrest and conviction following a catastrophic crash in November 2021, which resulted in the death of a woman and her pet. Ruggs, now 25, received a prison sentence in 2023, ranging from three to ten years after pleading guilty to charges of felony DUI.
In a related incident, the Raiders dismissed reserve defensive safety Roderic Teamer in November 2023 following his arrest for similar DUI and speeding charges in Las Vegas. Court records show that Teamer accepted a plea deal for reckless driving earlier this year, paying a fine of $1,000, with other charges eventually dropped.
