Former Buffalo Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley was arrested Saturday in Orange County, Florida, and charged with domestic battery, according to court records.
Wiley, 51, was taken into custody by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and, as of Saturday, was being held without bond. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and no further information about the alleged incident has been made public.
Wiley enjoyed a successful NFL career after being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons in Buffalo before later playing for the San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and Jacksonville Jaguars. During his 10-year NFL career, Wiley earned Pro Bowl honors and established himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
Following his retirement from football, Wiley transitioned into broadcasting, working as an analyst for ESPN and Fox Sports before launching his own podcast.
The arrest comes as Wiley continues to face multiple civil allegations of sexual misconduct.
Earlier this year, Rolling Stone reported that four women accused Wiley of sexual assault in lawsuits filed in April. According to the report, two women alleged they were sexually assaulted by Wiley between 1995 and 1999.
Another accuser claimed Wiley began grooming her when she was 13 years old after visiting her middle school while he was a member of the Buffalo Bills. She alleges that years later, after turning 18, Wiley flew her to Dallas, where he was then playing for the Cowboys, and sexually assaulted her.
Wiley has strongly denied the allegations. On his podcast, he said he possesses evidence that he believes disproves what he described as “misrepresentations” made in the lawsuits. He has also denied previous allegations brought by three individuals who accused him of rape during his time at Columbia University, calling those claims “B.S.”
The domestic battery charge is separate from the pending civil lawsuits. As of now, prosecutors have not released additional information regarding the criminal case, and it remains unclear when Wiley is expected to make his first court appearance.
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