Saints Junior Galette Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence
Saints star pass rusher Junior Galette is currently under investigation by the Kenner Police Department. The arrest took place Monday morning at Galette’s home after a disturbance was reported and police showed up at approximately 8:42 A.M.
Ramon Vargas of the Advocate is reporting that Galette is accused of pushing a woman to the ground at his home. The woman is not said to be in a relationship with Galette, but did used to live with him and currently cooks and cleans for him. This came per the woman’s statement.
Galette disputes the woman’s account saying that she is a dancer and was supposed to leave last night. An agreement was made she could leave in the morning, but an altercation arose over her leaving. She wanted money for a cab.
New Orleans Saint’s outside linebacker Junior Galette, 26, was arrested and booked with simple battery involving domestic abuse (Kenner Police Department)
The woman accuses Galette and his cousin, Terrence Banks Jr., of “jumping her”. She states she was picked up and put out of the house.
She further states she armed herself with a knife in the home, but when she put it down she was then forcibly removed by Galette and Mr. Banks.
Galette is currently being booked for domestic violence and simple battery. Galette was “verbally combative” with officer, according to the Kenner Police Department, but did not physically resist arrest.
“Domestic violence is something we take seriously in the city of Kenner,” said Kenner Police Department Lt. McGregor. McGregor said the woman involved was not arrested. The victim, who is 22, was bleeding from her right ear and had scratches on right side of her face.
Spokesman for the Saints, Greg Bensel, confirmed that the team is aware of the arrest and are doing their own investigation.
The 26 year old Galette has been in the league for the past five seasons after signing with the Saints as an undrafted free agent.. His past two seasons have been his most productive as he’s registered 22 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 2 safeties in 32 games. He recently signed a large extension deal this past offseason.
The contract was a 4 year, $41.5 million dollar extension with $23 million in guarantees keeping him a Saint through the 2019 season.
The league’s new policy on domestic violence carries a 6 game suspension for first time offenders. Joel Corry stated on his Twitter account that the right to void guarantees upon suspension is negotiated into a deal by team. It’s in Brees’ deal so he expects it to be in others as well. If the allegations against Galette are proven true it is possible the Saints could cut him out-right.
Updates will be provided as they come in.