Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has pleaded not guilty after being charged for his alleged role in a violent attack in downtown Indianapolis.
Sanchez, 38, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, October 7, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to The Athletic.
The former New York Jets star was arrested on Saturday, October 4, and initially charged with three misdemeanors — battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle — after he was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a 69-year-old delivery driver named Perry Tole in the early morning hours of Saturday.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Sanchez is now facing a level 5 felony charge during a press conference on Monday, October 6.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Bizarre Mark Sanchez Stabbing Incident Details
The charge carries a penalty of one to five years in prison.
Us Weekly has reached out to Sanchez’s attorneys for comment.
“I don’t care who you are,” Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said during Monday’s press conference. “I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live. If you come into our city, commit violence, we will use all the tools that are at our disposal to hold you accountable.”
Sanchez’s family issued a statement on Monday, calling the aftermath of his arrest “a deeply distressing time for everyone involved.”
“Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Mark’s brother Nick Sanchez Jr. wrote on behalf of the family. “Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”
According to court docs obtained by Us, the former quarterback allegedly approached Tole near the loading dock of the Westin hotel in downtown Indianapolis, telling the man his box truck was not allowed to be parked in its location.
Mark allegedly informed Tole that he had contacted Tole’s manager and that the truck needed to be moved.
When Tole attempted to grab his phone to call his manager, Mark allegedly blocked him from entering the truck. Mark also allegedly entered the truck without permission.
The altercation turned more violent from there, with Mark allegedly physically assaulting Tole and throwing him toward the hotel wall.
Tole used pepper spray in self-defense as Mark’s alleged attack continued. Despite the pepper spray, Mark continued to advance, resulting in “significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck,” according to a lawsuit filed by Tole on Monday.
Tole allegedly stabbed Mark multiple times during their tussle, with Tole also receiving serious gashes to his face. Both men were hospitalized with their injuries.
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According to the lawsuit, Tole suffered severe “permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages.”
Mark, who has worked as an analyst for Fox Sports since 2021, was in Indianapolis to broadcast the Sunday, October 5 game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.
He was replaced in the broadcast booth by Brady Quinn. Fox Sports has not issued any statement about Mark’s future with the company.
Us Weekly has reached out to Fox Corporation for comment.
