Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward is behind bars for the second time this summer after previously being accused of assaulting and strangling his fiancée in June.
This time Ward was apprehended by Montgomery County (Texas) police for consuming alcohol in violation of the terms of his June release, his attorney, Steve Jackson, told Daily Mail by phone late Thursday.
Ward was picked up on an outstanding warrant earlier in the day, according to a Montgomery County government website that neglected to mention any new allegations against the veteran defensive back.
Jackson has since revealed to Daily Mail that this ‘wasn’t a new arrest,’ but the consequence of Ward testing positive for alcohol, which he’s prohibited from consuming as a condition of his June release – a standard measure in Montgomery County, according to Jackson.
‘Since he tested positive for alcohol there is an overnight sanction in jail,’ Jackson told Daily Mail.
Daily Mail also sought comments late Thursday night from Texans spokespeople and Ward’s agents.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested for the second time this summer on Thursday
Now entering his 12th NFL season, Ward was being counted on to provide an important backup role on Houston’s defense, especially after C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down with a knee
The 34-year-old former first-round pick was arrested on a third-degree felony assault charge described as ‘family related’ back in June. Deputies later revealed Ward was accused by his fiancée of assault and strangulation. An emergency protection order was also filed on behalf of Ward’s fiancée, according to multiple reports.
As Jackson told Daily Mail on Thursday, he expects to present a grand jury packet on August 31 in hopes of getting the case dismissed.
Jackson previously told People that Ward would soon be ‘vindicated’ in the assault case.
‘We have been aware of the complaining witness for some time and her actions towards Jimmie Ward as well as another high profile sports figure,’ he said.
‘It is sad that professional athletes and public figures have to endure things like this, but has seemingly become commonplace. But we will continue to thoroughly investigate this woman and her history, and believe that Jimmie will be vindicated.
‘We just ask that the public reserve judgment so that we can show everyone that the Jimmie Ward that they all have come to know is the same person and did not do this.’
Now entering his 12th NFL season, Ward was being counted on to provide an important backup role on Houston’s defense, especially after free-agent acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down with a knee injury this week.
