The 22-year-old son of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Plunkett was arrested Saturday, February 4, on one charge of domestic violence and sexual assault, according to Atherton police. His attorney said today the arrest “was a complete surprise.”
“I believe that no crime was committed,” attorney Chuck Smith said.
James Plunkett Jr. was arrested after he allegedly choked and sexually assaulted a Menlo Park woman Thursday, February 2, at a home on Kilroy Way, according to a police report.
Mr. Smith said Plunkett and the woman who filed the complaint with Atherton police had an on-and-off “dating relationship” for around a year.
Mr. Plunkett lives in Arizona and has been a student at Arizona State University, although Mr. Smith said he believes Mr. Plunkett is not currently enrolled.
He was in Atherton visiting his family, Mr. Smith said.
Atherton police spokeswoman Priscella O’Shea said the woman filed the complaint on Saturday, February 4.
Police arrested Mr. Plunkett at his parents’ home around 6:30 p.m. Saturday and released him from the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City later that evening, according to Mr. Smith.
San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office records show that Mr. Plunkett was released shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday after posting a $50,000 bail, spokeswoman Lt. Lisa Williams said.
Mr. Plunkett is set to be arraigned on the charges on March 13.
The elder Jim Plunkett played quarterback for the Oakland Raiders from 1978 to 1986, winning the Super Bowl in 1981 and 1984. At Stanford, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1970 and led Stanford to the 1971 Rose Bowl championship.
By Bay City News Service
