Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is now facing a felony charge in addition to three previously announced misdemeanors in connection with a weekend altercation in Indianapolis that led to his stabbing, officials in Marion County, Ind., announced Monday.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Sanchez, a Fox Sports analyst, has been charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury, which, if convicted, could lead to a prison sentence of one to six years.
The incident started when Sanchez, 38, and a 69-year-old truck driver had a disagreement over a parking space.
“You have the allegations of a 38-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a 69-year-old man who sustained significant, very severe injuries as a result of that altercation,” Mears said. ” … We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space and/or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone just incredibly significant injuries.”
Sanchez was stabbed in the chest in the Saturday morning incident and taken to a hospital, initially listed in critical condition before being upgraded to stable. He was placed under arrest in the hospital, charged with misdemeanor counts of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication.
After his release from the hospital, he was booked in jail and posted a $300 bond.
The truck driver has told authorities he stabbed Sanchez in self-defense.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis to work on the call of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. He was replaced on the broadcast by another Fox analyst and former NFL quarterback, Brady Quinn.
Mears said the enhanced charges were the result of additional police investigations, which continue. Surveillance tape from a nearby hotel was part of the review of evidence that led to the felony charge.
More charges could follow, Mears said.
“Where this incident took place was an area of the city which was very well covered by surveillance footage,” the prosecutor said. “There are multiple angles of surveillance footage which capture the events that occurred. And in addition, we had a number of civilian witnesses who came forward with provided information about what took place for us, though we need additional information, and (police are) working on that.
“And once we receive that additional information, additional charges might be appropriate to file in a case like this.”
Sanchez was selected by the New York Jets with the fifth overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft and guided the club to two straight AFC Championship Game appearances. He posted a 37-36 record and threw for 15,357 yards with 86 touchdowns and 89 interceptions with the Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and the Washington franchise.
In college, Sanchez was a star for Southern California in 2008, when he passed for 3,207 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Trojans went 12-1 and finished the campaign as the No. 3 team in the country.
