Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with indecent assault and battery, Boston police have confirmed. Arraignment was held in Boston Municipal Court where Edelman entered a plea of not guilty. He was released on personal recognizance to return January 10.
"The charges will be fought vigorously within the court system, instead of a rush to judgment elsewhere," said agent Don Yee. "We have no further comment beyond that."
Officers responded to a call at 88 Exeter Street after 1:30 a.m. Upon arriving at Storyville nightclub in Back Bay it was determined there was indeed a female victim and Edelman, 25, was named the suspect. According to the official report, the woman claims she was groped between the legs on the dance floor.
Elaboration from the Boston Herald cites a male witness as saying the alleged victims face took on "an expression of shock" when the incident occurred. Said witness, along with the alleged victim, demanded Edelman's removal from the club. Ironically, the pair was kicked out first because the witness threatened to fight the Patriot.
Edelman denied the allegations to police. He was taken into custody but later posted bail and was released.
Efforts to reach Edelman proved fruitless; a male named "Ben" answered the alleged suspect's phone and hung up after finding out the caller was a reporter.
The Patriots head of media relations was immediately unavailable for comment. Shortly after noon, the team released this statement: "The Patriots are aware of the reports involving Julian Edelman and will defer any comment to his representatives at this time."
New England Patriots
Yee's statement followed in the afternoon.