At a Glance
- Stefon Diggs charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault after an alleged incident on Dec. 2.
- Allegation involves his former private chef.
- Patriots statement says Diggs denies the claims.
- Why it matters: The charges could affect Diggs’ playing career and the Patriots’ roster decisions.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing criminal charges after an alleged incident earlier this month.
Charges and Court Details
Court documents show Diggs was charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery related to the Dec. 2 incident. The alleged event involved his former private chef.
- Felony strangulation
- Misdemeanor assault and battery
Legal and Team Response
Diggs’ attorneys appeared in court Tuesday in Dedham, seeking to keep details sealed. The Patriots confirmed awareness of the allegations and stated that Diggs categorically denies them.
The Patriots statement, shared with News Of Austin, reads:
> “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon,”
> “We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
David Meier wrote in an email to News Of Austin:
> “The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction,”
Meier described the allegations as unsubstantiated and uncorroborated.
Police Narrative
A police narrative filed by Dedham Police Department Officer Kenneth J. Ellis recounts that a woman approached the station on Dec. 16 after a dispute over payment. The narrative details the alleged assault.
Officer Kenneth J. Ellis stated:
> “She said that he was behind her with his arm wrapped around her,”
> “She said that she did feel like she had trouble breathing and that she felt like she could have blacked out.”
Ellis also noted that Diggs smacked the chef, threw her on a bed, and responded with “lies” when she said she had not been paid.
The chef had requested payment for a week in November, left the home, returned on Dec. 9 to retrieve her property, and was told to sign a non-disclosure agreement before payment. She refused.
She filed charges last week after deciding to pursue criminal action.
Background and Statistics
Diggs, 32, had a stellar career with Minnesota and Buffalo from 2018 to 2023, earning six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and four Pro Bowl selections.
| Team | Years | 1,000-yard seasons | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2018-2019 | 2 | 1 |
| Buffalo | 2020-2023 | 4 | 3 |
| New England | 2024- | 0 | 0 |
He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23.
Key Takeaways
- Diggs faces felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges.
- Patriots say he denies allegations and will cooperate with authorities.
- Police narrative details alleged assault by Diggs on former private chef.
- Diggs’ career highlights include six straight 1,000-yard seasons and four Pro Bowls.
- He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23.
The legal proceedings will unfold in the coming weeks, with implications for Diggs’ future with the Patriots and the broader NFL.
