Colts WR Keenan Allen formally charged after DUI arrest
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INDIANAPOLIS – Veteran Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen has been formally charged 17 days after he was arrested in downtown Indianapolis on suspicion of driving under the influence.
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Allen has been charged with operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent (ACE) of 0.15 or more, a Class A misdemeanor, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor can lead to being imprisoned up to 1 year and/or fined no more than $5,000; a Class C misdemeanor can result in being imprisoned for no more than 60 days with a fine of no more than $500.
The 34-year-old Colts receiver was initially charged the morning of his arrest with DWI/DUI/OWI with an ACE of 0.08 or more and DWI/DUI/OWI endangering a person.
According to a public police report Allen was arrested early the morning of Aug. 30 at approximately 1 a.m. while Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers conducted a traffic investigation in the 100 block of South Meridian Street, just south of Monument Circle. According to a statement from police, officers observed a vehicle sitting in a no-parking zone at 110 S. Meridian St. and proceeded to speak with the driver, who officers later identified as Allen, "and noticed signs of intoxication," according to the statement.
After further investigation, Allen was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail and released later that afternoon. Scheduled at the time for an initial court hearing Wednesday morning, it’s unclear if that hearing remains on schedule. Allen, through his attorney, waived his initial hearing and Marion County Magistrate Judge David Hooper set a $500 cash bond, which was paid Sept. 15, according to online court records. An attorney conference is now set for late October.
Allen largely declined to comment on his arrest when speaking to the media four days after the incident Sept. 3, beyond acknowledging he had spoken with team decision-makers, as well as his teammates, to address it. “Because it’s an ongoing legal matter, we’re not going to discuss it,” he said. “I’m just focused on football and being a good teammate.”
The veteran receiver, in his 14th NFL season, arrived in Indianapolis Aug. 19 after spending the offseason as a free agent following the end of a one-year deal with the Chargers. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Chargers and built a strong bond with Colts head coach Shane Steichen.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Keenan, and I had a private conversation with him,” Steichen said Sept. 3. “I’ll keep that in-house and keep it private.”
Allen’s arrest came on roster cut-down day, but the Colts made clear that they planned to keep the veteran receiver through the off-the-field noise. Under the NFL’s collectively bargained policy on substance abuse, the punishment for a first-time offense involving alcohol is a three-game suspension, but the policy also states players can face increased discipline if the charges involve “aggravating circumstances” including “extreme intoxication” (which the NFL defines as an ACE of 0.15 or more).
Discipline for a second alcohol-related offense, absent additional aggravating circumstances, trigger an eight-game suspension, according to the policy.
In recent years, the NFL has shown in similar cases that it won’t impose any punishment until the legal proceedings have concluded – a process which can often take nine months or more, meaning Allen may very well skirt a suspension that could affect this current season, pending the timeframe and circumstances around the ongoing legal matters.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters earlier this month that Allen had faced internal discipline.
“I'm not going to comment on what happened, but what I'm going to tell you is good people make mistakes," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said. "He's a tremendous human being. Give him some grace, and he'll work through the process of the legal system.
"Fourteen years in the league with no issues," Ballard said. "Decorated career, decorated teammate. As you know, our relationship with Philip Rivers, Philip holds him in extremely high regard, and Shane was with him, and after you meet his mom and dad, amazing people. ... Unequivocally feel good about who Keenan Allen is."
While acknowledging the unfortunate first impression Allen had made less than two weeks after he’d been formally signed by the Colts with two weeks before the start of the season, Ballard said earlier this month that he believed the wide receiver would go on to prove himself to Colts fans.
When asked directly what he wanted Colts fans to know about him after his arrest, Allen centered the conversation back on football.
“I take my job serious, I’m a good football player and I try to be a good teammate. That’s what I’m focused on,” Allen said. “Appreciate the support. I’m ready for the football season, ready to make plays and get this thing going.”
In Allen’s regular season debut with the Colts in a 41-23 home loss Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens, the Indianapolis receiver caught all six of his targets for 32 yards.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts WR Keenan Allen formally charged after DUI arrest