ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos defensive end Jonathon Cooper finds himself facing escalating legal issues after being taken into custody for the second time within seven days.
Authorities arrested Cooper on Thursday evening on several charges alleging he violated a protective order that was issued following his first arrest related to a domestic incident with his girlfriend the previous week.
Court documents show Cooper now faces additional charges of harassment through repeated phone calls and violating a protective order.
The protective order was established for Cooper’s girlfriend after prosecutors filed two more charges on Wednesday, including a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation, stemming from his June 4 arrest in Parker.
Beyond his current legal issues, Cooper may be looking at a significant suspension from the NFL.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated to The Associated Press on Friday, “We continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.”
The Broncos released their own statement to AP, noting, “We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper’s arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter.”
According to the arrest affidavit, Cooper allegedly sent 20 messages and placed two unreturned phone calls to his girlfriend on Thursday before appearing at her residence and knocking on her door. He departed after she contacted 911. When officers later visited Cooper at his home Thursday, he claimed he had not received notice of a protective order.
During his Friday court appearance in the 23rd Judicial District Court in Douglas County, Cooper was ordered to comply with a more restrictive protective order that bars all contact with his girlfriend. Additionally, he must obtain court permission for any out-of-state travel. He was released on his own recognizance.
Cooper initially faced misdemeanor domestic violence charges and entered a not guilty plea Monday in Douglas County court. Prosecutors announced the additional charges in court Wednesday, including felony assault by strangulation and third-degree assault for knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm.
The upgraded charges resulted from a forensic nurse’s examination of Cooper’s girlfriend at a medical facility, where the nurse documented that the woman sustained an injury from being choked that created a “substantial risk of death” or significant risk of harm, including potential traumatic brain injury, according to court filings.
Cooper, 28, was initially taken into custody June 4 by Parker police alongside his girlfriend, with both being processed into jail the following morning. Cooper was detained on suspicion of criminal mischief with a domestic violence enhancement. His girlfriend was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and minor criminal mischief.
The arrests occurred after an argument and physical altercation between Cooper and his girlfriend concerning cell phones that were damaged during the incident after she accused him of cheating, according to a police affidavit.
Over the weekend, Cooper shared a Bible verse about anger on his Instagram account and stated, “I apologize to my family and my friends and my community. … And so many others.” He continued, “I realize positing a bible (verse) after something very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay.” In a separate post, Cooper stated, “I apologize. This situation is not who I am.”
Selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft from Ohio State, Cooper is beginning his sixth year with the Broncos. He has recorded at least eight sacks in each of the past three seasons, including a personal-best 10 1/2 sacks in 2024 when he agreed to a four-year contract extension valued at up to $60 million.
Cooper has motions hearings scheduled for July 6 regarding his original arrest and July 14 for his recent arrest, plus a trial date set for July 22, just before the Broncos begin training camp.
Cooper has been taking part in the Broncos’ offseason training program, and on Thursday coach Sean Payton mentioned he spoke with Cooper about his arrest. “We’ll follow the league’s guidelines, and I’m sure a lot of that will be led by the local authorities’ guidelines. We’ll pay attention to all of it,” Payton said.
The Broncos will conduct their mandatory minicamp next week before taking their summer break.
