Vikings Star Jeff Gladney Could Face 10 Years In Jail For Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend

KEY POINTS

Jeff Gladney turned himself in to authorities at the Dallas County Jail Monday on an assault charge
The victim, a woman who says she is Gladney's girlfriend, suffered bruises after she was allegedly dragged across the ground
The Vikings cornerback could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney was arrested Monday following an alleged incident of domestic violence, according to the Dallas Police Department.

Gladney, 24, turned himself in to the Dallas County Jail after an arrest warrant was issued for a charge of third degree felony family violence assault, CBS 11 News reported. The NFL player allegedly assaulted Friday an unidentified 22-year-old woman who claimed to be his girlfriend.

According to the woman, the incident started when Gladney became upset over her text messages and demanded that she surrender her phone while they were both inside a vehicle heading to an apartment complex in southeast Dallas.

The woman threw her phone out of the vehicle, but Gladney was able to retrieve it, CBS 11 News reported, citing unnamed sources.

An arrest affidavit alleged that Gladney then attempted to unlock the woman's phone by shoving her face toward it and pulling her hair to hold her still for the face verification to work.

Afterward, Gladney began to strike her "with closed fists causing pain in the side of her ribs, in the stomach and the back, and hitting her open hand across the head," the woman alleged.

Detectives were told Gladney allegedly strangled the woman by the neck when they returned to the apartment. He allegedly grabbed the woman by the hair while the vehicle was still moving, dragging her across the ground.

According to the woman, she was able to break free from Gladney and get into a vehicle with unknown passengers.

The woman reported she had scratches on her face and neck and that she had abrasions on her knees. Bruising on her head, ears and torso were documented by detectives.

No additional information has been released as the investigation is ongoing.

The Vikings, reacting to the arrest, said in a statement, "We are aware of Jeff’s arrest and are gathering additional information."

"We take this matter very seriously, as the reported allegations are extremely disturbing. At this time we will have no further comment," the team continued.

Gladney posted a $10,000 bond after his arrest. He could face a sentence of two to 10 years in prison if convicted on the charge.