Former NFL wide receiver Alshon Jeffery reached a conditional agreement with San Diego prosecutors that would lead to the dismissal of two felony insurance fraud charges.
USA Today reported that Jeffery and prosecutors reached the deal, based on court documents. The case stems from a Sept. 21 crash on Interstate 5 in San Diego, where a Mercedes driven by Jeffery allegedly rear-ended a Tesla driven by a Lyft driver.
Prosecutors said Jeffery did not have insurance at the time of the crash. Court documents cited by USA Today state that he obtained a new insurance policy on Sept. 24 and later filed a claim saying the collision occurred on Sept. 28, seven days after the actual crash date, according to Beinsure.
The damage was material, though not catastrophic. Jeffery’s Mercedes sustained about $13,000 in damage, while the Tesla sustained more than $10,000. Infinity Insurance denied Jeffery’s claim after receiving evidence from the other driver showing the crash occurred on Sept. 21, when prosecutors allege Jeffery had no active coverage.
Jeffery faced two felony counts. One accused him of knowingly presenting a false or fraudulent insurance claim. The other accused him of concealing, or knowingly failing to disclose, an event affecting entitlement to an insurance benefit or payment. Each charge carried up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine if Jeffery had been convicted.
Court records cited by the outlet show Jeffery missed a March 9 arraignment hearing, which led to an arrest warrant. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said officers arrested him on April 15 in Encinitas, a coastal suburb north of San Diego.
Jeffery appeared in court on April 23 and pleaded not guilty to both charges. His attorney, Brian Watkins, told the incident was “just a miscommunication mishap.”
- A preliminary hearing had been scheduled for Monday, but Jeffery instead reached a conditional deal with prosecutors. Under the agreement, he must complete 50 hours of community service.
- He must also pay $2,500 to the driver of the Tesla to cover the driver’s insurance deductible, $840.46 to Kemper Insurance and $500 to the California Department of Insurance Anti-Fraud Fund.
The district attorney said in court documents that Jeffery had already made the required payments by July 10, according to Beinsure. He now has 60 days from Monday to complete the community service requirement.
If, after 60 days, Alshon Jemell Jeffery has satisfied all the above conditions and has remained law abiding with no new criminal cases, this matter will be dismissed in the interest of justice
Jeffery, 36, played nine NFL seasons from 2012 to 2020 with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles. He earned one Pro Bowl selection with Chicago and later won a Super Bowl as a starter for Philadelphia after the 2017 season.
