A home repair visit in Upper Marlboro has landed former Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West in legal trouble, with the onetime NFL back now facing assault charges after an alleged fight with a contractor at his house.
Court papers state that a dispute over carpet stains inside West's home escalated into a physical confrontation, during which the contractor says West punched him and waved a firearm. West has been charged with first- and second-degree assault and is scheduled to appear in Prince George's County court on May 1.
What charging documents say
According to charging documents reviewed by local reporters and reported by CBS Baltimore, the contractor told police he was at West's home to paint and make repairs when he pointed out a stain he said he did not cause. The documents say West "became aggressive," grabbed the supervisor, and a struggle followed.
After that, the contractor told officers, West began punching him in the face. He also alleged that West waved a gun during the altercation. The charging papers quote responding officers as noting that since he was being attacked as well in his home, he had a right to defend himself. The documents do not resolve that tension, and it will be up to the courts to sort out whose version of events prevails.
From Towson star to NFL back
Before the legal drama, West was best known locally for carving up defenses at Towson University. His junior season produced an FCS-leading 2,509 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns and earned him 2013 FCS Player of the Year honors, per Towson University.
West was selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, then went on to play for the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens before his professional career wound down after a 2018 release by the New Orleans Saints, according to NFL.com.
Legal context
Under Maryland law, assault in the first degree, which can include assaults committed with a firearm or those causing serious physical injury, is a felony punishable by up to 25 years, per the state code. Assault in the second degree carries lower maximum penalties and can be elevated in certain situations. For specific statutory language, see §3-202 and §3-203 of the Maryland Criminal Code.
For now, these remain allegations, and West is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. The May 1 hearing in Prince George's County is the next key date on the calendar, and any new court filings or public statements could clarify whether additional charges or specific defenses emerge as the case moves forward.
