Former Washington Redskins player Fred Smoot was arrested Sunday in connection with a domestic assault at a home in Ashburn, Virginia, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.
Officers were called to the 21300 block of Victorias Cross Terrace just after 11 a.m. for a report of a domestic assault. Investigators say Smoot's girlfriend told them he grabbed her during an altercation. Pictures Valerie Jackson posted on Instagram appear to show marks on her neck, shoulder and arms.
“I am not ready to comment on camera,” Jackson told News4’s Chris Gordon. “This is fresh and this is hard. I just came from a lawyer’s office, and I feel safe behind this door and I don’t feel safe in front of cameras or media.”
Smoot, 35, was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault.
Smoot’s attorney Jon Huddleston told News4's Chris Gordon Smoot denies he committed any domestic abuse, saying his arrest was the result of "the vindictive actions of a disgruntled ex-girlfriend."
He said Smoot tried to break off the relationship more than a month ago and that Jackson has been the aggressor.
The former cornerback was booked and later released on a $2,500 from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. He must also obey the conditions of an emergency protective order.
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The case will go on trial on Jan. 5, 2015.
Smoot is a contributor to Comcast SportsNet, which is owned by the same company as NBC4.
A spokesperson for Comcast SportsNet says the network didn't learn of Smoot's arrest until Tuesday morning, adding that his appearances on the network have been suspended indefinitely.
Smoot also suspended from his sports talk radio appearances on 106.7 The Fan.
