Ravens head of security on paid leave after sex crime allegation

Ravens head of security Darren Sanders has been placed on paid leave after being charged with a fourth-degree sexual assault offense, reports The Baltimore Sun and National Football Post's Aaron Wilson.

Sanders is not expected to travel with the Ravens to this Saturday's Wild Card round game against the Steelers.

The Baltimore Sun's Justin Fenton was first to report the story of Sanders being charged. He's since reported that a female accuser is alleging Sanders groped her at M&T Bank Stadium, and was reported following the Ravens game against the Jaguars. The claim was filed with Baltimore police on Dec. 14.

Sanders' attorney Andrew Alperstein has denied these allegations.

"It does a disservice to real victims when people make things up like this," Alperstein told The Sun. "People like [Sanders] are susceptible to made-up allegations. It puts you in a vulnerable position."

The maximum punishment for a fourth-degree sex offense in Maryland is a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Sanders was charged through a summons and has not been arrested. His court date is Feb. 9, 2015.

This development comes at the tail end of a Ravens season that began in turmoil due to Ray Rice's legal issue. Rice was ultimately released from the organization after a videotape showed the former Pro Bowl running back punching his then-fiancee and now wife Janay Palmer in the face, knocking her unconscious.

The NFL has since instituted a new domestic abuse policy and has made amendments to its personal conduct policy.

Follow me on Twitter: @JasonHButt

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