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Why was Charles Snowden arrested? All we know about Raiders DE's legal issue

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden was arrested Tuesday morning for a DUI. Police stopped Snowden on Rainbow Boulevard near Sunset Road after receiving reports about a "suspicious vehicle" in southwest Las Vegas. The 26-year-old defensive end faces a misdemeanor charge.

Court records obtained by TMZ Sports confirm Snowden was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and quickly released. The charge: a single misdemeanor count of DUI involving alcohol and/or controlled substances. This incident arrives at a critical juncture for Snowden, who has been a key defensive contributor for the Raiders this season.

An undrafted free agent from the University of Virginia, Charles Snowden has worked tirelessly to establish himself in the league. After brief stints with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad, he found more substantial playing time with the Raiders.

This season, he appeared in 13 games, starting seven, and logged impressive defensive stats: 30 total tackles, 13 solo tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn

His breakthrough came amid defensive challenges for the Raiders. With Malcolm Koonce missing the entire campaign due to a knee injury, Snowden seized his opportunity. He maintained a 36% defensive snap share, becoming a complementary option alongside star DE Maxx Crosby.

What happens next for Charles Snowden?

Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Getty
Denver Broncos v Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Getty

The Raiders released a brief statement:

"The Raiders are aware of the incident involving Charles Snowden and have been in contact with the NFL and local authorities. The club will not comment further as this is a legal matter."

The arrest poses significant questions about Charles Snowden's future. He was on track to become an exclusive-rights-restricted free agent this offseason.

A status check hearing is scheduled for April, with no attorney currently listed in court records. Snowden was not required to post bond or undergo a probable cause hearing before his release.

The incident inevitably draws comparisons to the Raiders' troubled history, particularly the tragic Henry Ruggs III case from 2021.

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