Mark Sanchez faces felony charge in Indianapolis altercation – NBC Los Angeles

Former USC and NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez faces a felony charge what authorities said was an argument over a parking space in Indianapolis that escalated to violence, a prosecutor said in a Monday update.

Sanchez is charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury in the confrontation early Saturday morning, Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said at a Monday morning news conference. The charge was added after police provided additional details in a probable cause affidavit detailing the confrontation, Mears said.

“With that additional information, we have added additional charges against Mr. Sanchez,” Mears said. “At this point, we have filed a felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury.

“We are still in the early stages of this investigation. Search warrants are outstanding.”

The charge carries a penalty of 1 to 6 years in prison.

Mears said the final charges against the 38-year-old Sanchez, who was in Indianapolis as part of the Fox Sports broadcast crew for Sunday’s NFL game, could change as the investigation continues. Sanchez, who suffered non-life-threatening stab wounds, and a 69-year-old man were hospitalized after the downtown Indianapolis confrontation.

Mears said the area where the altercation occurred is well-covered by security cameras and many potential witnesses were present.

Sanchez is accused of approaching and assaulting the delivery driver while intoxicated.

“It is alleged that Sanchez approached the victim in an alley near West Washington Street and escalated a dispute about the victim’s parked vehicle,” prosecutors said in a statement. “After the altercation turned physical, it is alleged that pepper spray was dispensed, and Sanchez suffered injuries consistent with being stabbed.”

Sanchez was hospitalized and later placed under arrest on suspicion of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication. The felony charge was added to the previous charges once more information was provided by police, Mears said Monday, adding that his office regularly amends charges as law enforcement investigations unfold and more information is available.

The prosecutor said the violence appeared to stem from an dispute over a parking space.

“The thing that stands out to us is that this is a situation that did not need to occur,” Mears said. “The allegation involved a 38-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a 69-year-old man who sustained significant injuries. We are literally talking about people arguing over a parking space.”

It was not immediately clear whether Sanchez has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. An agent for Sanchez said he did not have any additional comments to make beyond the information provided by police in a weekend statement.

Indianapolis’ police chief also spoke at Monday’s news conference.

“I want to be clear. I don’t care who you are. I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live,” said Indianapolis Police Chief Christopher Bailey. “If you come into our city and commit violence, we will move all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable.”

The former quarterback had a successful collegiate career at the University of Southern California and spent about 10 years in the NFL before his 2019 retirement.

He was drafted by the New York Jets in 2009 and spent four seasons with the team before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. Sanchez also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington and Chicago Bears.

Sanchez worked as a commentator for ESPN following his retirement and joined Fox Sports in 2021 as game analyst.

Fox Sports initially released a statement on Saturday following the news of Sanchez’s stabbing. The sports network reported that he was in stable condition following the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time,” the statement said.

Fox Sports declined to comment to NBC News on Sunday following the filing of the probable cause affidavit.