Austin Seferian-Jenkins's run-ins with law: Former NFL star ARRESTED for domestic abuse
PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTON: A former NFL tight end has been arrested in Washington for domestic violence, public jail records have revealed. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office took 29-year-old Austin Seferian-Jenkins into custody on Friday, January 28, on one count of felony harassment threats, domestic violence or death threats, and one count of misdemeanor assault and domestic violence. Seferian-Jenkins is now being held without bail. It is unclear what exactly led to the arrest.
This is not the first time Seferian-Jenkins had to face legal issues. The tight end has been arrested several times in the past for charges including that of substance use. The former NFLer, who was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 38th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, had pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge before his final season with the University of Washington in 2013. Back then, he was sentenced to one day in jail.
RELATED STORIES
Is Aaron Rodgers retiring from NFL? Internet 'happy to hear it' after Green Bay's loss
Malik McDowell arrest: NFL player got naked in public and beat up police officer
Seferian-Jenkins was arrested in 2016 on suspicion of driving under the influence. The Florida Highway Patrol had stated back then that he was pulled over for driving 75-80 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone, he cut off a trooper while changing lanes improperly and was seen weaving back and forth by the FHP before he could be stopped.
The athlete was earlier also charged with driving with a suspended license and operating a vehicle without an ignition. Following the incident, Seferian-Jenkins was released by the Buccaneers. In March 2020, Seferian-Jenkins was arrested on a DUI charge in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was charged again driving on a suspended license and operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock device. At the time, the arresting officer had said that the player was "driving erratically" while doing 48 mph in a 30 in his 2016 Dodge Charger and even entered a highway offramp at one point. He allegedly crossed several lanes without using his directional.
In a similar incident, NBA star Jaxson Hayes has been charged with misdemeanor domestic abuse and resisting arrest on Monday, January 24, in connection with a 2021 incident in which he acted hysterically with his girlfriend at an LA-area home. Hayes faces up to a year in jail. He also faces charges of vandalism, trespassing and battery against a police officer, Los Angeles city attorney spokesman Rob Wilcox said. In 2021, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon declined to press felony charges against Hayes. LA City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office pursued the misdemeanor charges filed on Monday, January 24. The charges were pressed in connection with a domestic incident that took place on July 28, 2021, at a Woodland Hills home. The LAPD learned that Hayes had become loud and violent towards his girlfriend.
About a week ago, former Major League Baseball pitcher Sergio Mitre was convicted in Mexico and sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually assaulting and murdering his ex-girlfriend’s daughter in July 2020. Mitre pitched in parts of eight major league seasons and won a World Series ring with the 2009 Yankees. Mitre has also been ordered to pay $66,429 in restitution damages. His estimated earnings in MLB topped $5 million.