Josh Jacobs Faces Misdemeanor Battery Charge as Complaint Cites Garage Surveillance Video

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been formally charged with two misdemeanors more than three months after an incident at his Wisconsin home led to his arrest.

The Brown County District Attorney's Office charged Jacobs on Aug. 27 with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The charges stem from a May 23 altercation involving Jacobs and a woman described by authorities as his girlfriend at the time, according to ESPN.

Jacobs had initially been booked on a group of recommended charges that included felony strangulation and suffocation, battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim. The criminal complaint also introduces evidence that was not publicly detailed when Jacobs was arrested, surveillance footage recovered from his garage.

Prosecutors say the video corroborates relevant portions of the woman's account, including Jacobs taking a phone from her while she was on the floor and returning about 40 seconds later and apparently damaging it. The footage itself has not been publicly released for independent review.

The Complaint Says Garage Video Captured Part of the Phone Dispute

The woman told investigators that the argument began after she looked through Jacobs' phone and found messages with other women. According to the complaint, she threw his phone without breaking it before a struggle developed as she tried to retrieve her own phone from him.

The two later left the property in separate vehicles before returning. The woman told police she grabbed a second phone from a duffel bag and attempted to call authorities before trying to leave through the garage.

According to the criminal complaint described by TMZ, she alleged that Jacobs followed her, grabbed her and threw her to the ground, causing her to strike her head. Responding officers reported seeing redness on her face and neck and said they could feel a bump on the back of her head.

An Open 911 Line Brought Police to the Home

Police were initially dispatched at approximately 8:37 a.m. on May 23 after an open 911 line from Jacobs' home. Dispatch audio released after his arrest captured a dispatcher reporting yelling and screaming and saying that objects could be heard being thrown.

A neighbor also contacted authorities about the disturbance. Jacobs was no longer at the residence when officers arrived, according to reports from the initial investigation.

Jacobs surrendered to police on May 26 and was booked into the Brown County Jail. He was released the following day after District Attorney David Lasee said his office wanted additional investigation before deciding whether formal charges were appropriate.

That investigation continued through the summer. When announcing the charges, Lasee said some evidence had only recently become available because of “significant, ongoing forensic efforts” by law enforcement.

Prosecutors Filed Two Misdemeanors Instead of the Earlier Felony Allegation

The charging decision is considerably narrower than the allegations considered at the time of Jacobs' arrest. Prosecutors did not file the felony strangulation and suffocation count or the earlier disorderly-conduct and victim-intimidation allegations.

Jacobs now faces one Class A misdemeanor count of battery and one Class A misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property. Each carries a maximum potential penalty of nine months in jail, a $10,000 fine or both if he is convicted.

His attorneys David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence F. Duchac III issued a statement after the filing. “The Brown County District Attorney has reviewed evidence and elected to file misdemeanor charges against Josh that do not include domestic violence,” they said. “The allegations will be addressed in court, and not in the media.”

Lasee separately cautioned against treating the complaint as a finding of fact. He said a criminal complaint is a formal accusation and “does not raise any inference of guilt,” adding that Jacobs is presumed innocent.

The NFL Says Jacobs' Status Remains Under Review

The Packers said they are aware of the charges and will continue cooperating with the NFL. The league told NFL.com that its own review has not concluded. “We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. No suspension has been announced.

Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst had already discussed the possibility of losing Jacobs before the charges were filed. Asked whether the Packers might need another running back if Jacobs were suspended, Gutekunst said the organization had prepared for that possibility and believed it could manage with the players currently in the room.

Jacobs rushed for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games last season. He has remained with the Packers through training camp, although he has dealt with a groin injury this summer. His initial court appearance on the two misdemeanor charges is scheduled for Nov. 17.