06/12/26 03:22:00
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06/12 14:53 CDT Broncos' Jonathon Cooper arrested for second time in a week,
issued stricter no-contact order
Broncos' Jonathon Cooper arrested for second time in a week, issued stricter
no-contact order
By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) --- Denver Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper is in more
legal trouble following his second arrest in a week.
Cooper was arrested Thursday night on multiple charges that he violated a
protection order filed against him after his initial arrest stemming from a
domestic dispute with his girlfriend last week.
Cooper is now facing new charges of harassment from repeated phone calls and
violation of a protection order, according to court records.
The protection order was put in place for Cooper's girlfriend after two
additional charges, including a felony charge of second-degree assault by
strangulation, were added Wednesday from his June 4 arrest in Parker.
Aside from his legal troubles, Cooper could face a lengthy suspension from the
league.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press on Friday, "We continue
to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review of the
personal conduct policy."
The Broncos also issued a statement to AP, saying, "We are disappointed to
learn of Jonathon Cooper's arrest on Thursday and continue to review this
matter."
Cooper is accused of sending 20 messages and making two unanswered phone calls
to his girlfriend Thursday before going to her apartment and knocking on her
door, according to the arrest affidavit. He left when she called 911. Cooper
told officers who went to his residence later Thursday that he had not been
served with a protection order.
Cooper was ordered during an appearance in the 23rd Judicial District Court in
Douglas County on Friday to abide by a stricter protection order that prohibits
any contact with his girlfriend. Also, he must have court approval to travel
out of state. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Cooper originally faced misdemeanor domestic violence charges and pleaded not
guilty Monday in a Douglas County courtroom. Additional charges were announced
in court Wednesday, including felony assault by strangulation and third-degree
assault of knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury.
The new charges stemmed from a forensic nurse's examination of Cooper's
girlfriend at a hospital during which the nurse wrote that the woman
experienced an injury from being choked that led to a "substantial risk of
death" or substantial risk of injury, including the possibility of a traumatic
brain injury, according to court records.
Cooper, 28, was originally arrested June 4 by Parker police along with his
girlfriend, and both were booked into jail early that next morning. Cooper was
held on suspicion of criminal mischief with a domestic violence enhancer. His
girlfriend was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and petty
criminal mischief.
The arrests followed an argument and physical confrontation between Cooper and
his girlfriend over cell phones that were damaged in the scuffle after she
accused him of infidelity, according to a police affidavit.
Last weekend, Cooper posted a Bible verse about anger on his Instagram account
and wrote, "I apologize to my family and my friends and my community. ... And
so many others." He added, "I realize positing a bible (verse) after something
very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay." In another post,
Cooper wrote, "I apologize. This situation is not who I am."
A seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2021, Cooper is entering his
sixth season with the Broncos. He's had at least eight sacks in each of the
last three seasons, including a career-best 10 1/2 sacks in 2024 when he signed
a four-year contract extension worth up to $60 million.
Cooper has a motions hearings set for July 6 on his original arrest and July 14
on his latest arrest, in addition to a trial set to begin July 22, just before
the Broncos report to training camp.
Cooper has been participating in the Broncos' offseason training program and on
Thursday coach Sean Payton said he had a talk with Cooper about his arrest.
"We'll follow the league's guidelines, and I'm sure a lot of that will be led
by the local authorities' guidelines. We'll pay attention to all of it," Payton
said.
The Broncos hold their mandatory minicamp next week before their summer break.
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