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Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward has been accused of physically and sexually assaulting the mother of his 3-year-old son while under the influence of crystal meth, according to a lawsuit filed in Texas Wednesday.
The lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court, is in addition to the criminal charge Ward faces after a June 12 arrest on a felony domestic violence charge. He was accused of choking Cristy West, with whom he was in a long-term relationship.
Ward, 34, was also arrested earlier this month after testing positive for alcohol, which was a violation of his bond.
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Safety Jimmie Ward of the Houston Texans sits on the bench before a game against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
The lawsuit, in which West is being represented by Tony Buzbee, is seeking more than $20 million in damages. Buzbee has represented victims in many high-profile sexual assault and domestic violence cases.
In the suit, Ward is accused of forcing his way into West’s home in the early hours of June 12. West alleged that Ward was showing “erratic and aggressive” behavior, and she believed he was under the influence.
“On that night, she suspected he was under the influence of methamphetamines, specifically, crystal meth,” the lawsuit states.
TEXANS’ JIMMIE WARD ‘WILL BE VINDICATED’ FOLLOWING FELONY ASSAULT ARREST, ATTORNEY SAYS
The suit also alleged that Ward threatened to kill West on multiple occasions, while slapping and choking her, and “dragged” her into a bedroom.
Due to the alleged altercation, their son woke up, and West tried to calm him down. West then alleged that Ward demanded she perform a sexual act on him, and she did so out of fear for her life. Then, the suit says, West ran out of her home with her son while “naked and visibly injured” after Ward went looking for her cellphone after accusing her of talking to other men. West called 911, and Ward was arrested.
Jimmie Ward of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Dec. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
The suit also alleged a previous incident occurred in which Ward “lured West” to his Houston home “under the pretense of giving her money for their son’s karate lessons” on April 25.
Ward allegedly told West she had to enter the home and then his bedroom, where he allegedly grabbed her and demanded a sexual act. West says she “resisted, screamed, and managed to leave.”
Steve Jackson, Ward’s attorney, told KPRC 2 this lawsuit was previously filed in Montgomery County and was dismissed.
“This is the same civil lawsuit that was filed against Mr. Ward by other attorneys who also previously tried and failed in a jury trial to prove that Jimmie was married to Ms. West. It is our intention at this time to focus on the criminal allegations and the upcoming grand jury hearing in hopes of this matter being dismissed.”
Jimmie Ward of the Houston Texans during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium Nov. 5, 2023, in Houston, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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Ward is at Texans training camp, but he is still recovering from foot surgery he underwent during the offseason. He has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp.
Ward is heading into his third season with the Texans, who named him a defensive captain last year. He totaled 48 combined tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, during the 2024 season.
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