Ravens Security Director Charged with Sex Offense

The head of security for the Baltimore Ravens has been charged with a sex offense and is reportedly on paid leave after an alleged groping at M&T Bank Stadium during a recent game.

Police served Darren Sanders, 48, with a criminal summons Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the Ravens’ practice facility in Owings Mills, according to online court records. Sanders was charged with a fourth-degree sex offense, which in Maryland means a person in a position of authority engages in sexual conduct with a person who has not consented.

Representatives for the security director denied the allegations.

Sanders’ lawyer said that he is innocent and a man of “tremendous integrity” who “has worked his entire career to keep others safe,” in a statement to ESPN.

The charge was related to an incident that allegedly occurred on Dec. 14, according to court records, which was the date of the Ravens-Jaguars game.

A 34-year-old woman who worked in security at the stadium was told to escort Sanders to his vehicle, and when they were in the third floor stadium hallway, he told her she ”looked very pretty” before grabbing her breasts and touching her butt, according to ESPN, which reported there was at least one witness.

Sanders allegedly pressed the woman against a wall, kissed her neck and tried to force her to touch his penis, according to TMZ, which reported she got away and told four coworkers.

Before joining the Baltimore Ravens as director of security, Sanders was a homicide detective with the Baltimore City Police Department, according to The Baltimore Sun. He joined the Ravens in 2004, according to ESPN.

For now, Sanders has been sidelined. He was placed on paid leave Wednesday and will not travel to Pittsburgh with the Ravens for Saturday’s playoff game against the Steelers, according to TMZ.

A hearing for the fourth-degree sex offense charge is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2015, in Baltimore City. The charge is a misdemeanor and conviction can result up to one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000.

In the meantime, the victim filed a peace order against Sanders, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Screenshot from YouTube video by Baltimore Police from 2013 donation of motorcycles from the Ravens to Baltimore City Police Department. Darren Sanders, a former Baltimore City police officer, spoke at the event.