Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled or prohibited substance Tuesday, according to Las Vegas Justice Court records. The misdemeanor charge is Snowden’s first DUI offense. It’s listed as an open case.
According to Nevada law, individuals found guilty of the offense that Snowden is accused of are required to pay tuition for and complete an educational course on alcohol or other substance use disorders. They could be imprisoned for up to six months in jail and/or ordered to perform 48 to 96 hours of community service. They may also be fined between $400-$1,000. Additionally, if the person is found to have a concentration of alcohol of 0.18 or more in his or her blood or breath, they must attend a program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder.
Snowden, 26, is in his second season with the Raiders and has played in the league for four years.
The Raiders’ walkthrough Wednesday was closed to the media and it’s currently unknown whether Snowden participated. A team spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Snowden has played in all 13 games for the Raiders this season and logged seven starts, recording 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. He was signed to the Raiders’ practice squad last December after brief stints with the Chicago Bears and Bucs and earned a roster spot after defensive end Malcolm Koonce suffered a season-ending ACL injury ahead of Week 1 of the regular season.
After playing at Virginia from 2017 to 2020, Snowden went undrafted in 2021. The Silver Spring, Md., native signed with the Bears, but played just two games as a rookie. He was cut in 2022 and landed with the Bucs, before being cut again. He’s in the midst of a breakthrough season with the Raiders, currently playing on a one-year contract worth $795,000 that’ll expire after this season.
The Raiders have had numerous players arrested for DUI in recent years, including former receiver Henry Ruggs III in 2021 for his role in the November 2021 crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor. Ruggs pleaded guilty in May 2023 to one count of DUI resulting in death and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. As part of the plea, Ruggs is currently serving three to 10 years in a Nevada state prison.
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