The 2015 NFL Criminals Thread

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...icted-in-new-jersey-for-failing-to-pay-taxes/

Plaxico Burress indicted in New Jersey for failing to pay taxes
Posted by Josh Alper on April 30, 2015

Getty Images

Former Steelers, Giants and Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress did time after he shot himself in the leg in 2008 and he’s back in some legal trouble this year.

Burress has been indicted in New Jersey on one count of issuing a bad check or electronic funds transfer and one count of willful failure to pay state tax in the amount of $47,903. According to NJ.com, both charges carry maximum sentences of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

The case against Burress is the first prosecution in New Jersey centered on a failed electronic funds transfer, which occurs when an account is underfunded or does not exist. A 2014 state law treats such a failure the same as attempting to pass a bad check. Burress filed his 2013 tax return electronically, but authorities say his electronic transfer didn’t go through and that Burress failed to respond to repeated requests to rectify the situation.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s office said that an arraignment date has not been set yet.

 

[Prime Time]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/302394631.html

NFL linebacker's case brings attention to growth of laws to prevent online revenge porn
Article by: SEAN CARLIN , Associated Press

Amid a national push to punish jilted lovers and others who distribute racy photos, NFL linebacker Jermaine Cunningham will be the most recognizable defendant yet to face "revenge porn" charges when he appears in court Wednesday.

The decade-old New Jersey law being used to prosecute Cunningham was the first of its kind in the country, and 16 more states have passed laws since, including 14 in the past two years. At least 10 additional legislatures are considering revenge porn laws.

Federal legislation is also expected to be introduced this year even as some detractors of the laws warn that advocates are overreaching into territory that could be protected as First Amendment expression.

The movement to criminalize an action that can lead to lost jobs and ruined lives gained steam as ubiquitous cellphone cameras and online social networks eased the way for sharing anything from the mundane to the most personal.

"Your most private, intimate moment (is) turned into entertainment for thousands, for millions of people," said Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at the University of Miami.

Cunningham, a free agent who was with the New York Jets last year, was arrested in December after sending naked pictures of a woman to the victim's friends and family following a "domestic incident" in the community of Summit, New Jersey, according to a criminal complaint. Prosecutors wouldn't elaborate on the circumstances leading to the charges.

His lawyer, Anthony Fusco, said he believes Cunningham will be "exonerated on all charges," which include invasion of privacy and a gun offense.

Cunningham is scheduled for a plea disposition conference on Wednesday in Elizabeth.

Without laws against revenge porn, advocates say, victims have few outlets to scrub the photos from the Internet because they were usually taken with the victims' consent — or by the victims themselves.

Rebekah Wells, of Naples, Florida, founded the website Women Against Revenge Porn after searching her name on Google in 2010 and finding a gallery of nude photos she says were posted by an ex-boyfriend.

"All of the sudden, you're just anxious about everything," said Wells, 38, whose case is not connected to Cunningham's. "It touches every part of your life: your job, your family, your friends. You're not insulated from anything."

Victims can find it hard to get or maintain a job if employers search their names online, meaning the photos can make their "whole world start to fall apart," Franks said.

"What we see is a lot of depression and trauma," Franks said of the victims. "A lot exhibit signs of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)."

Although Cunningham may be the most well-known "revenge porn" defendant, he's not the first to be prosecuted under the new crop of laws. A Los Angeles man was sentenced to a year in prison last year for posting a topless photo of his ex on her employer's website and urging that she be fired.

In Seattle, a man was convicted of cyberstalking for posting photos of nude women and threatening to send them to one woman's family if she didn't give in to his sexual demands. One photo with another victim's phone number was posted on Craigslist in a fake ad seeking sex with older men.

The laws are receiving more support nationwide, and Facebook, Twitter and Reddit recently banned nonconsensual sexual images and videos.

But some have questioned the validity of the laws. Arizona's was put on hold in November after civil liberties groups sued.

Lee Rowland, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, said any laws should spell out the malicious intent of revenge porn to protect against overreaching legislation.

"That specific intent is so critical when the government is regulating what would otherwise be completely lawful (content)," Rowland said. Cases of revenge porn, she said, could be taken care of in some circumstances through anti-harassment or anti-stalking laws already on the books.

Franks said they're working to make sure the laws don't infringe on constitutional rights, but "get the bad guys who are doing this."

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ith-vandalism-after-argument-with-girlfriend/

49ers FB charged with vandalism after argument with girlfriend
Posted by Darin Gantt on May 4, 2015

Getty Images

A football player being charged with misdemeanor vandalism might not sound like that big of a deal, but the circumstances of 49ers fullback Bruce Miller’s arrest will create more questions.

According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, Miller is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon on the charges, which stemmed from an argument with his girlfriend, during which Miller threw her phone against the wall.

“Even relatively minor domestic violence incidents can be the first steps on a path that ends in tragedy,” said Jim Demertzis, who supervises the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Family Violence Unit. “That’s why we take all domestic violence cases seriously.”

The victim originally told police that during an argument in a parking garage, Miller pushed her out of the car and smashed her phone. She refused medical attention, and didn’t have any visible injuries or complaint of pain. Later, she denied there was any physical contact, and their investigation deemed it inconclusive whether Miller pushed her out of the car or not.

Because of the attention recent domestic violence cases have received in the NFL, this one will get plenty of scrutiny, beyond what sounds like an innocuous charge.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...or-jr-gets-10-years-in-prison-for-sex-crimes/

Lawrence Taylor Jr. gets 10 years in prison for sex crimes
Posted by Michael David Smith on May 5, 2015

Lawrence Taylor Jr., son of Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, will spend the next 10 years in prison after a plea deal on statutory rape and child molestation charges.

Taylor took the plea just before his trial was set to start on Monday in Cobb County, Georgia.

The 33-year-old Taylor was accused of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old girls in 2012 and 2013.

Lawrence Taylor Sr., who played for the Giants from 1981 to 1993, has had his own legal issues, including a guilty plea to charges of patronizing a prostitute and sexual misconduct in connection with an encounter with an underage sex worker.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-to-five-years-probation-inpatient-treatment/

Titus Young sentenced to five years probation, inpatient treatment
Posted by Josh Alper on May 6, 2015

Getty Images

Former Lions wide receiver Titus Young pleaded no contest to a felony battery charge last month, which opened up the possibility of three years in jail for someone who has spent the last few years in and out of custody.

Young was sentenced on Tuesday and avoided that time behind bars. Young was sentenced to five years probation and a year of inpatient treatment and therapy. Young has been at the Crosby Center in California receiving that treatment for the last three months and the center’s director and one of his psychologists testified on his behalf at the sentencing hearing.

They testified that Young had been misdiagnosed and mistreated as schizophrenic and bipolar and that they’ve seen better results since he’s come to be under their care.

“We’re not seeing the irritability, the anger, the acting out, the violence,” Dr. Robert Knol said, via the Detroit Free Press. “We have seen cooperation. We have seen a genuine investment in all forms of his treatment, both in individual sessions and group sessions. We’re very optimistic. I predict we’ll all celebrate the restructure of a fine young man.”

Young’s restructure would come too late to salvage an NFL career, but not too late to stop him from doing harm to himself or others. We hope that his continued treatment leads to that result.

 

[Memento]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-to-five-years-probation-inpatient-treatment/

Titus Young sentenced to five years probation, inpatient treatment
Posted by Josh Alper on May 6, 2015

Getty Images

Former Lions wide receiver Titus Young pleaded no contest to a felony battery charge last month, which opened up the possibility of three years in jail for someone who has spent the last few years in and out of custody.

Young was sentenced on Tuesday and avoided that time behind bars. Young was sentenced to five years probation and a year of inpatient treatment and therapy. Young has been at the Crosby Center in California receiving that treatment for the last three months and the center’s director and one of his psychologists testified on his behalf at the sentencing hearing.

They testified that Young had been misdiagnosed and mistreated as schizophrenic and bipolar and that they’ve seen better results since he’s come to be under their care.

“We’re not seeing the irritability, the anger, the acting out, the violence,” Dr. Robert Knol said, via the Detroit Free Press. “We have seen cooperation. We have seen a genuine investment in all forms of his treatment, both in individual sessions and group sessions. We’re very optimistic. I predict we’ll all celebrate the restructure of a fine young man.”

Young’s restructure would come too late to salvage an NFL career, but not too late to stop him from doing harm to himself or others. We hope that his continued treatment leads to that result.

Honestly? I think that's the right call to make with Young. The guy clearly has a severe mental illness, I don't think anyone can deny that. Even the victim of the battery charge knew it and wanted him to get help and proper treatment (which is really big of the guy).

Let's hope that he can stick with it. Mental illness is awful, and it's for life. Let's hope that Young can be stable again.

 

[shaunpinney]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-to-five-years-probation-inpatient-treatment/

Titus Young sentenced to five years probation, inpatient treatment
Posted by Josh Alper on May 6, 2015

Getty Images

Former Lions wide receiver Titus Young pleaded no contest to a felony battery charge last month, which opened up the possibility of three years in jail for someone who has spent the last few years in and out of custody.

Young was sentenced on Tuesday and avoided that time behind bars. Young was sentenced to five years probation and a year of inpatient treatment and therapy. Young has been at the Crosby Center in California receiving that treatment for the last three months and the center’s director and one of his psychologists testified on his behalf at the sentencing hearing.

They testified that Young had been misdiagnosed and mistreated as schizophrenic and bipolar and that they’ve seen better results since he’s come to be under their care.

“We’re not seeing the irritability, the anger, the acting out, the violence,” Dr. Robert Knol said, via the Detroit Free Press. “We have seen cooperation. We have seen a genuine investment in all forms of his treatment, both in individual sessions and group sessions. We’re very optimistic. I predict we’ll all celebrate the restructure of a fine young man.”

Young’s restructure would come too late to salvage an NFL career, but not too late to stop him from doing harm to himself or others. We hope that his continued treatment leads to that result.

I'm so glad he's getting the HELP he needs and is not just being locked away.

 

[ZigZagRam]

49ers Star Ahmad Brooks Accused in Sexual Assault Lawsuit

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks has been accused of sexually assaulting a passed out woman at a then-teammate's home ... according to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports.

The woman making the allegations is the same woman who previously claimed she was raped by Ray McDonald ... a former 49ers defensive end who now plays for the Chicago Bears.

McDonald had sued the woman for defamation ... after the San Jose PD investigated the allegations but dropped the case due to insufficient evidence.

Now, the woman is firing back in the defamation lawsuit -- claiming she believes there is SURVEILLANCE VIDEO from the night in question ... which shows part of the alleged sexual assault.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/05/06/49ers...used-in-sexual-assualt-lawsuit/#ixzz3ZOI0JGBH

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/11/ahmad-bradshaw-pleads-no-contest-to-pot-charge/

Ahmad Bradshaw pleads no contest to pot charge
Posted by Josh Alper on May 11, 2015

AP

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw hasn’t found a team for the 2015 season, but he has resolved court proceedings related to his arrest in Ohio on a marijuana possession charge from February.

The Associated Press reports that Bradshaw has pleaded no contest to the charge and was sentenced to pay $351 in fines and costs under the terms of the agreement. He also had his Ohio driving privileges revoked for six months and a misdemeanor traffic charge was dropped.

“Pretty much what’s in the public record is what’s there,” Bradshaw’s attorney David Williamson said.

Bradshaw is subject to league discipline as a result of the arrest and plea, which could impact his pursuit of work for the coming season. Bradshaw generated 725 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games for the Colts last season, but he wound up on injured reserve with a broken leg.

It was the second time in two years with the Colts that Bradshaw suffered a season-ending injury and he’s played 16 games just once in eight seasons, which means the arrest and accompanying disciplinary review aren’t the only potential drawbacks for Bradshaw’s prospective employers.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/12/braylon-edwards-charged-with-extreme-dui-in-arizona/

Braylon Edwards charged with “extreme DUI” in Arizona
Posted by Mike Florio on May 12, 2015

Getty Images

Former NFL receiver Braylon Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, had high hopes for his playing career and beyond. Neither happened.

Long since gone from and forgotten by the NFL, Edwards was arrested last week in Arizona. Via TMZ, Edwards was charged with “extreme DUI,” which means that his blood-alcohol concentration was measured at more than 0.20 percent.

A prior DUI incident involving Edwards in 2010 became a major controversy for the Jets. Cited on a Tuesday for DUI, the Jets received considerable pressure to suspend Edwards for an upcoming Sunday night game against the Dolphins. He ultimately was benched for the first quarter of the game.

Edwards, 32, last played in the NFL three years ago, splitting time with the Seahawks and Jets. In eight seasons, he generated more than 5,500 receiving yards and caught 40 touchdown passes. He also played for the 49ers and Browns, who drafted him a decade ago.

http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/seahawks-drop-the-ball-with-frank-clark-draft-pick/

Seahawks drop the ball with Frank Clark draft pick

To restore faith in the Seahawks’ no-tolerance policy and build trust in the NFL’s new stance on domestic violence, the team should conduct a new investigation into the Frank Clark alleged domestic-violence incident.
Seattle Times editorial board
The Seattle Times

THE Seattle Seahawks have put themselves in a situation that is more uncomfortable than the final seconds of the last Super Bowl.

The team’s decision to draft Frank Clark — a promising Michigan defensive end arrested on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend last November — is another questionable call that puts a harsh spotlight on the team’s usually impressive leadership.

The Seahawks, who have said they would never draft a player who hit a woman, say they conducted an investigation and were satisfied it cleared him to play. But Seattle Times reporters found troubling accounts from witnesses who were never contacted by the team.

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Schneider are responsible for the Seahawks impressive record. That success is all the more gratifying because it was built on a team culture of redemption, perseverance and optimism.

Their positivity resonates more than crowd noise. It has converted football skeptics into fans, turned the Seahawks into role models for children across the Northwest and deepened the 12th Man’s love of the team.

It’s even helped fans make peace with the decision to pass and not hand off to Marshawn Lynch at the end of February’s Super Bowl.

But the Seahawks are making it hard to forgive and move forward this time by sidestepping questions around the Nov. 15 altercation in Clark’s hotel room. Those questions have grown as details have emerged in The Times, including the accounts of multiple people alleging that Clark hit his girlfriend.

Whether the team releases Clark, it needs to directly address concerns about what happened, the veracity of its pre-draft background investigation and the strength of its pledge to tolerate absolutely no domestic violence.

By sticking to talking points and using its investigation as cover, the Seahawks response has unfortunate similarities to the NFL’s missteps when former Baltimore standout Ray Rice’s domestic assault was revealed last summer.

The NFL initially failed to thoroughly investigate the Rice incident and bobbled its response, reinforcing longstanding concerns about institutional indifference to the transgressions of athletes.

Eventually Rice was suspended and the NFL stepped up with a new policy for investigating and punishing players charged with violent crimes.

That was supposed to be the start of a new era. Schneider reinforced this by repeatedly promising to never draft a player who had hit a woman.

In Clark’s case, there’s no smoking-gun video showing what happened and he was not convicted of assault.

But it still raises questions about how much institutional change has occurred. Police believed there was enough evidence to support a domestic-violence case but a prosecutor worked out a deal charging Clark with disorderly conduct.

To restore faith in the Seahawks’ no-tolerance policy and build trust in the NFL’s new stance on domestic violence, the team should conduct a new investigation into the Clark incident and openly discuss its conclusion.

 

[LACHAMP46]

I thought Brady would be in here now...

 

[Stranger]

I thought Brady would be in here now...

i just came in to add him

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-cuts-plea-deal-to-resolve-prostitution-case/

Report: Warren Sapp cuts plea deal to resolve prostitution case
Posted by Darin Gantt on May 18, 2015

Getty Images

Warren Sapp used to make his money by collecting sacks.

Now, he’s saving some money after allegedly throwing a couple of working girls out of the sack.

According to TMZ, the former Buccaneers/Hall of Fame defensive tackle has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, resolving his arrest on prostitution and assault charges in Phoenix during Super Bowl week.

The report says that Sapp will plead guilty to one count of solicitation and one count of assault. To resolve the charges, he has to complete a pair of counseling programs, the “Prostitution Solicitation Diversion Program” as well as an anger management course.

He has apparently already completed the prostitution course (which would lead to the charge being dropped), and is working on completing the other counseling program now.

Sapp has also been ordered to pay restitution to each of the two prostitutes, $150 to one and $1,171.24 to the other.

Considering the fight broke out after Sapp thought he had agreed to terms for $300 for each of them — before everybody got naked — and then an argument erupted, that’s a stiff fine.

But considering he has already lost his job over the sordid affair, cutting this deal might allow him to clear his name soon.

Such that anyone’s ever going to forget this one.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...enced-to-a-day-in-jail-probation-in-dui-plea/

Da’Rick Rogers sentenced to a day in jail, probation in DUI plea
Posted by Josh Alper on May 18, 2015

AP

Wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers saw his career at the University of Tennessee come to an early end after failed drug tests and off-field trouble cost him his job with the Colts last year.

Rogers was dropped by the team on the same day that he was arrested on DUI charges and a year after he had 14 catches and two touchdowns while making three starts in Indianapolis. The wideout has now resolved those charges.

WISH-TV in Indianapolis reports that Rogers has been sentenced to one day in jail and six months of probation after reaching a plea agreement in the case. Police found his blood alcohol content was between .08 and .14 percent when he was pulled over in late September.

Rogers was out of the NFL until he signed a future contract with the Chiefs in January. There are worse places for a player who once led the SEC in catches to try to make it as a pro receiver than on a team that has little settled at the position other than Jeremy Maclin, but potential league discipline for the DUI and his overall issues staying out of trouble off the field may lead the Chiefs to look elsewhere.

 

[Zombie Slayer]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/12918509/aaron-hernandez-involved-prison-fight

Report: Aaron Hernandez disciplined after gang-related prison fight

Aaron Hernandez was involved in a prison fight Monday at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts, CNN is reporting.

[URL='http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/us/aaron-hernandez-fight/']According to CNN, which cited a law enforcement source with knowledge of the incident, Hernandez agreed to be on the lookout for one inmate who went into another prisoner's cell. The two inmates fought, with the source telling CNN the altercation was believed to be gang-related.

All three inmates are being disciplined, according to the report. Hernandez was placed in a special management section at the correctional center.

A spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Correction declined to comment to CNN.

Hernandez, the former New England Patriots star tight end, was convicted last month of the June 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. He was sentenced to a mandatory term of life in prison without parole. His lawyers have appealed.

Hernandez is expected in court again Thursday, this time for a status hearing regarding his double-murder trial in Boston. He is accused of gunning down two men in 2012 after one caused him to spill his drink at a nightclub.

Altercations behind bars aren't new for Hernandez.

In February 2014, Hernandez and an inmate being transported from the infirmary at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, allegedly exchanged words. Hernandez allegedly punched the inmate and knocked him to the ground. Neither was injured.

Hernandez was indicted in the alleged jail assault two months later.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.[/URL]

 

[Rynie]

Y'all should change the thread title to "The Greg Hardy thread."

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...unningham-pleads-guilty-in-revenge-porn-case/

Jermaine Cunningham pleads guilty in “revenge porn” case
Posted by Josh Alper on May 20, 2015

AP

Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham is a free agent and any attempts by the former Patriots second-round pick to continue his career may be hindered by discipline from the NFL.

Cunningham pleaded guilty Wednesday to three charges related to a December arrest following a domestic dispute. The dispute started after Cunningham posted photos of a girlfriend’s inner thigh, groin and buttocks on Instagram without her permission, which violates a 10-year-old New Jersey “revenge porn” law that makes it a crime to share such images without the subject’s approval.

NJ.com reports that Cunningham admitted posting the pictures and tagging them with the woman’s name while pleading guilty to a third-degree crime of invasion of privacy and fourth-degree charges of illegally transporting a handgun in the glove compartment of his car and having hollow-point bullets. The gun and bullets were found in Cunningham’s car at the time of his arrest and he was sentenced to probation for a period that will be set at a June hearing.

Cunningham was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2010 draft and spent three years with the team before moving on to the 49ers and Jets, who he was playing for when he tore his Achilles before the start of the 2014 season.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...omestic-violence-charges-to-be-dropped-today/

Ray Rice’s domestic violence charges to be dropped today
Posted by Darin Gantt on May 21, 2015

AP

Ray Rice doesn’t have an NFL job.

But soon, he won’t have a criminal record, either.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the former Ravens running back has completed his pretrial intervention program, and his domestic violence charges could be dismissed by a judge in New Jersey today.

Rice has complied with all the requirements set forth from his felony aggravated assault case, stemming from the now-famous elevator fight with his now-wife Janay Rice. He avoided jail time by agreeing to the intervention as a first-time offender.

Of course, it might not help him get a job, as most teams are carrying 90 on the rosters, and Rice wasn’t playing the kind of football to merit a second chance when we last saw him.

 

[Memento]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...omestic-violence-charges-to-be-dropped-today/

Ray Rice’s domestic violence charges to be dropped today
Posted by Darin Gantt on May 21, 2015

AP

Ray Rice doesn’t have an NFL job.

But soon, he won’t have a criminal record, either.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the former Ravens running back has completed his pretrial intervention program, and his domestic violence charges could be dismissed by a judge in New Jersey today.

Rice has complied with all the requirements set forth from his felony aggravated assault case, stemming from the now-famous elevator fight with his now-wife Janay Rice. He avoided jail time by agreeing to the intervention as a first-time offender.

Of course, it might not help him get a job, as most teams are carrying 90 on the rosters, and Rice wasn’t playing the kind of football to merit a second chance when we last saw him.

And another example why DV is as rampant as it is. Nobody gets punished for it. Not NFL players, not regular Joes or Janes, nobody.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...hild-abuse-investigation-is-sexual-in-nature/

Antonio Smith child abuse investigation is “sexual in nature”
Posted by Mike Florio on May 21, 2015

Getty Images

Earlier on Thursday, multiple reports emerged regarding an investigation of Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith for child abuse. According to the Associated Press, the investigation involves a more ominous element.

Fort Bend County (Texas) Sheriff Troy Nehls told the AP that a complaint was made against Smith in November 2014, and that it is “sexual in nature.” Nehls investigated the case, and he forwarded the findings to the Fort Bend County district attorney in February 2015.

The NFL has not yet responded to a request for confirmation that the mere existence of the investigation will trigger a league investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy. If Smith eventually is charged, he presumably will be placed on the Commissioner Exempt list until the case is resolved.

 

[Memento]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...hild-abuse-investigation-is-sexual-in-nature/

Antonio Smith child abuse investigation is “sexual in nature”
Posted by Mike Florio on May 21, 2015

Getty Images

Earlier on Thursday, multiple reports emerged regarding an investigation of Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith for child abuse. According to the Associated Press, the investigation involves a more ominous element.

Fort Bend County (Texas) Sheriff Troy Nehls told the AP that a complaint was made against Smith in November 2014, and that it is “sexual in nature.” Nehls investigated the case, and he forwarded the findings to the Fort Bend County district attorney in February 2015.

The NFL has not yet responded to a request for confirmation that the mere existence of the investigation will trigger a league investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy. If Smith eventually is charged, he presumably will be placed on the Commissioner Exempt list until the case is resolved.

If the charge has merit...fry his ass.