Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Josh Sills was indicted this week on one count of rape and one count of kidnapping in Ohio, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
A grand jury indicted the football player for raping a woman and kidnapping on December 5, 2019, in Guernsey County, two crimes which are first-degree felonies. The 25-year-old is accused of engaging in “sexual activity that was not consensual” as well as “[holding] a victim against her will.”
The victim, who says she’s known Sills since they were in high school, claims that the NFL player was dropping her off at a friend’s house but “grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back into the truck” and proceeded to kiss her against her will. From there, he supposedly took off her pants and touched her inappropriately, as well as forced her to have oral sex.
On the night of the assault, the victim went to the Cambridge emergency room. An officer representing the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office took the details of the events as described by the victim, which included bruising in the back of the woman’s throat as well as on her inner lip. A nurse also noted bruising to her right ear and the back of her knee.
Philadelphia Eagles release a statement regarding player Josh Sills
Following his criminal charges, the Eagles released a statement addressing the incident. “The organization is aware of the legal matter involving Josh Sills. We have been in communication with the league office and are in the process of gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time,” the team said in a statement.
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However, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the player has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List as the league begins a personal conduct policy review. While on the exempt list, Sills is unable to participate in team activities, including practice, games, and travel. With this being said, it is unlikely he will be on the team’s roster when the Philadelphia Eagles kick off against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona.
As of now, the case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section of the Attorney General’s Office. Per his indictment, Sills will appear in front of a court on Feb. 16. in Cambridge, Ohio.
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