Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested Thursday for the second time in two months.
Ward, 34, was taken into custody on a warrant related to a felony offense, according to Montgomery (Texas) County Jail booking records. Ward’s lawyer, Steve Jackson, said that Ward was arrested because he violated a condition of his previous $30,000 bond release by testing positive for alcohol.
No bail amount was listed, but Ward is scheduled to be released on a court order on Friday.
“It’s a condition of bond, and there are certain conditions like you can’t drink,” Jackson told KPRC 2 in Houston. “Jimmie believed it was for not getting intoxicated, like he could have a drink. There was no contact with the complainant. The court has a zero tolerance policy for drinking while on bond, unbeknownst to him. The judge issued a sanction, so he will spend the night in jail overnight. This has nothing to do with the complaining witness at all. There are no new allegations against Jimmie. The judge wants to treat him fairly, like anyone else.”
Ward was previously arrested June 12 at his home in Magnolia, Texas, following a domestic dispute involving his son’s mother. The woman called police and reported that Ward had assaulted, choked and threatened her. He was charged with assaulting a family/house member and impeding breathing circulation. An emergency protective order was filed at the woman’s request, preventing any contact between the two, and he was released on $30,000 bond.
Ward’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 13. His case will also be heard by a grand jury on Aug. 31, according to Jackson.
“The case will go to the grand jury at the end of the month where we expect it to be no-billed by the grand jury and Jimmie can resume his normal activities,” Jackson said. “We will be presenting information to the grand jury in hopes of getting the case no-billed and dismissed.”
Ward is currently on the Texans’ physically unable to perform list after he underwent foot surgery earlier this year. He reported to Texans training camp, which began July 26 in Houston.
The NFL is investigating the charges against Ward under its personal conduct policy. When asked during the first day of camp about Ward’s June 12 arrest, Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the team would “kind of let the legal process take care of itself.”
“We will work with the league,” he said. “We will be compliant on our end, do the best we can. Whatever the outcome is, we’ll handle it accordingly.”
Ward has played 11 seasons in the NFL, including his first nine with the San Francisco 49ers and last two with the Texans. For his career, he has 549 tackles, 10 interceptions – including three for defensive touchdowns, six forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered in 126 games, including 99 starts.
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