Just what the New England Patriots didn't need: one of their captains arrested for violent domestic assault

BRAINTREE, MA - A New England Patriots captain now finds himself in legal turmoil after he was arrested in connection with a domestic assault in this Boston suburb. 

According to WCVB-5 in Boston, Jabrill Peppers, 29, was arrested by Braintree police and charged with several crimes, including assault, strangulation, and possession of drugs in connection with the domestic incident between he and his girlfriend. 

Authorities say that Braintree police officers responded to a Liberty Street address at around 4:15 a.m. Saturday for a disturbance call involving Peppers and his girlfriend. The caller told 911 dispatchers that Peppers “hit her, choked her, took off her clothing, and put her outside,” a police report said. 

The victim, who was not named, told responding officers that Peppers placed his hands around her neck and smashed her head into a wall, then pushed her down the stairs after the couple got into an argument. 

After being placed under arrest, officers found a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance inside Peppers’ wallet, police said. Peppers admitted it was cocaine, the report read. 

Peppers denied the accusations made by his girlfriend, claiming he asked her to leave his apartment numerous times and denied ever placing his hands on her neck. He said she “fell by herself on the stairs because she was intoxicated,” the police report read. 

“He denied pushing her down the stairs and said that she was making those allegations to destroy his career,” the report said. 

Police charged Peppers with assault and battery on a family member, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance believed to be cocaine. Police said the victim was treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization. 

Peppers was arraigned in Quincy District Court, where he pleaded not guilty and was temporarily held on a $2,500 bond. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim. 

Peppers’ attorney cast doubt on the victim’s account of the incident, saying there is “evidence I’ve already seen” that “sheds real doubt on the allegations, including videotape evidence.” 

Meanwhile, a neighbor seemed surprised about the incident, telling WCVB that he didn’t know Peppers was in the community. 

“Of course, it’s kind of odd to hear,” said neighbor Tarrence Brown. “Something about that because that’s like nothing I’ve seen or heard about how he is here in this community.” 

WCVB contacted the Patriots, who said they were aware of the incident; however, they released few details. 

“We informed the NFL, and we are still gathering information. I know the team put out a statement earlier today,” Coch Jerod Mayo said. “I am not sure how the league and how we are going to handle that going forward, but we should find out some more information over the next few days.” 

Peppers, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, did not play against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. 

“We knew about the situation the morning of. But once again, he was on the injury report throughout the week because he was dealing with an injury,’ Mayo said. 

ESPN reported that the victim told police the two had been dating “on and off” for about three years. 

The Patriots issued a statement saying they were “aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend, which the police are currently investigating.” The NFL, meanwhile, said it was “aware of the matter” and would have no further comment. 

Peppers was signed by the Patriots in 2022 and signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension in July. He was initially drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017 and spent two seasons there before signing with the New York Giants, where he played from 2019 to 2021. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 22, however, Peppers does not need to appear as his presence was waived. 

The Patriots, not the same team after first Tom Brady and then legendary coach Bill Belichick left the team, are off to their worst start in years at 1-4 under rookie coach Mayo.