A sexual assault allegation involving Cody Latimer’s 4-year-old son sparked a heated argument over the weekend that left the Washington Redskins wide receiver facing multiple felony charges, his lawyer said during a Monday hearing.
Latimer, who was released on $25,000 bond, was charged with assault in the second degree, menacing and illegal discharge of a firearm in Colorado, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department. He also is facing misdemeanor charges of prohibited use of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
Roderick English, who told police he is Latimer’s best friend, held a poker game at his Colorado home Friday night, including the former Giants receiver and seven or eight others, ESPN reported.
Later in the night, Latimer and an unidentified card player became irate with one another, according to court documents. While the police report did not detail what was discussed, Latimer’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, told the court during the virtual hearing that it concerned a person at the table allegedly sexually assaulting Latimer’s son.
Steinberg said the sexual assault allegations do not involve Latimer. Steinberg added that law enforcement contacted him to investigate the sexual assault allegation, in addition to the charges levied against the 27-year-old Latimer.
Latimer and the other individual had to be separated, said English, who then ordered everyone to leave his apartment.
It’s unclear whether the individual Latimer argued with was the same person who allegedly committed the sexual assault against Latimer’s son. It also is unknown when the alleged assault may have taken place.
Around 30 minutes after English ordered everyone to leave, an enraged Latimer returned to the apartment, English said, and blamed English for the poker-game episode. English said he and Latimer had been drinking the night of the incident.
English said Latimer then pulled out a handgun from his hoodie and waved it around, saying he was going to kill everybody, according to police records.
According to English, the situation de-escalated for a few moments before Latimer fired two shots near English, who then pinned Latimer against the wall. Latimer then hit English on the top of his head with the gun, and the fight eventually ended.
Police arrived around midnight, and English received medical attention for a contusion on the top of his head and a cut on his face.
Latimer spent the past two seasons with the Giants after beginning his career with Denver. He signed a one-year, $1.04 million contract ($137,500 guaranteed) with the Redskins this offseason.
Latimer’s case marks one of three ongoing criminal investigations involving NFL players. Also on Saturday, Buffalo Bills defensive end tackle Ed Oliver, 22, was arrested in Houston on charges of DWI and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Last week, 22-year-old Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker was charged with four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault at a party in his home state of Florida. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quintron Dunbar, 27, also faced multiple charges stemming from the same incident.
Latimer is scheduled to have his next court hearing July 24.