BOSTON – New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was arrested early Tuesday at a Boston nightclub for allegedly groping a woman.
Edelman, 25, was taken into custody after a woman claimed he reached under her Halloween costume and touched her below the waist, The Boston Globe reported.
Edelman was angrily confronted on the dance floor by a man who was with the woman, and all three were ejected from the club as bouncers sought to control the situation, the report stated.
When police arrived, Edelman denied the allegations, but was charged with indecent assault and battery on a woman.
He entered a plea of not guilty later Tuesday morning and was released without being required to post bail.
"The charges will be fought vigorously within the court system, instead of a rush to judgment elsewhere. We have no further comment beyond that," said Edelman's agent, Don Yee, in a statement. The Patriots said they were aware of the matter, but declined further comment.
Edelman, a backup wide receiver and kick returner, has not played in the Patriots' last three games after injuring his ankle Oct. 2 against Oakland. He has been with the Patriots for three years after being drafted in the seventh round out of Kent State.
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