Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
Denver Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly is in trouble with the law on a very serious charge. On Tuesday, October 23 it was reported that the backup signal-caller was arrested on a charge of first-degree criminal trespassing. Kelly allegedly entered a home at approximately 1:00 a.m. and was chased out of the home by the owner.
The 24-year-old is the nephew of Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly.
“We are disappointed that Chad Kelly was arrested early this morning. Our organization has been in contact with Chad, and we are in the process of gathering more information,” the Broncos said in a statement acknowledging Kelly’s arrest.
Kelly was booked into Arapahoe County Jail.
From the report:
At 1:17 a.m., officers with the Englewood Police Department responded to the 3200 block of S. Lincoln Street after receiving a report of a man standing outside a residence. While officers were responding to the scene, they learned the man had entered the home. He was chased back outside by a homeowner. Officers searched the area and a short time later, located a man matching the description provided by the homeowner. He was in a black SUV near the Gothic Theatre.
Chad Kelly began his college football career at Clemson University before being dismissed for conduct detrimental to the team. He would then transfer to East Mississippi Community College where he led the Lions to a perfect 12-0 record and the NJCAA national champion. He would then transfer to Ole Miss to finish out his career. Kelly was drafted by the Broncos with the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Despite being considered a high-end talent, Kelly fell to the final round due to character concerns.
More information on the severity of the charge can be seen below.
What Is Criminal Trespassing?
From RMLawyers.com:
In Colorado, “criminal trespass” is the crime of unlawfully entering or remaining on another’s property, and the seriousness of the offense depends upon the type of property trespassed upon and the trespasser’s state of mind. There are three degrees of criminal trespass ranging from a class 1 petty offense to a class 4 felony.
First degree criminal trespass, Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18–4-502
A person commits first degree criminal trespass if he or she knowingly and unlawfully enters or remains in another’s dwelling, or if he or she enters any motor vehicle with the intent to commit a crime inside that vehicle.
First degree criminal trespass is a class 5 felony that carries a presumptive minimum sentence of one year of imprisonment and a presumptive maximum sentence of three years. Under extraordinary aggravating circumstances, a court may impose a sentence of more than three years, and under extraordinary mitigating circumstances, a court may impose a sentence of less than one year.
