Jonathon Cooper’s legal situation goes from bad to worse with second arrest

Jonathon Cooper had legal trouble a week ago; in the last 24 hours, the situation got much, much worse for the Broncos linebacker

BY JAMES MERILATT

Jun 12, 2026, 8:18 AM Updated: 12:47 pm

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Last week, Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was arrested and charged with several counts stemming from an alleged altercation with his girlfriend. On Thursday, the sixth-year player was in court to address those issues.

That’s a pretty bad week. It got worse later in the evening, however, when Cooper was arrested again after a separate incident.

#Broncos OLB Cooper was arrested again at around 6 last night by Parker police and booked into Douglas Co. jail at 10:07 pm on four additional charges stemming from violating protection order placed against him.
He’ll appear in court this morning. https://t.co/rTenBG62DV

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 12, 2026

After the first arrest, the Broncos statement focused on the organization gathering information about what happened. The team was supportive of their star player.

On Friday morning, the tone changed. The Broncos were far less sympathetic of the situation.

Broncos statement on latest Jonathon Cooper arrest:

“We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper’s arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter.”

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 12, 2026

It’ll be interesting to see what happens from here. After the first arrest, there was a chance that the NFL would suspend Cooper, even if the matter was resolved in the courts. Now, that seems like it’s assured.

Jonathon Cooper had legal trouble a week ago. In the last 24 hours, the situation got much, much worse.

(Update 8:42 a.m.) –

More allegations are emerging against Cooper based on the opinion a medical professional.

From an updated affidavit obtained by @denverpost on assault charges for Jonathon Cooper levied Wednesday:

A nurse who evaluated Cooper's girlfriend after original altercation wrote that she sustained "a substantial risk of death" and "strangulation with hypoxia." pic.twitter.com/hX1kSsGezP

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) June 12, 2026

(Update 11:56 a.m.) –

Cooper appeared in court on Friday morning. This is the latest reporting on what happened in front of the judge.

Solomon ruled Cooper must sign a protection order before his release and ordered "no new offenses while on bond."

Ruled Cooper must have prior court approval before traveling outside of Colorado. Could come into play in August when Broncos' preseason schedule begins.

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) June 12, 2026

The lawyer of Jonathon Cooper's girlfriend just noted in court that Cooper sent her messages asking for sexual contact "after she was assaulted."

Her lawyer: “For (Cooper's laywer) or the record to reflect that this was not offensive conduct flies in the face of these messages.”

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) June 12, 2026

Cooper attorney Harvey Steinberg argued Cooper had right to contact the girlfriend yesterday because order was not a “no contact” protection order. Said none of 11 text messages sent by Cooper around 2:58 pm (described as one thought but sent one line by one line) were not…

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 12, 2026

Jonathon Cooper appeared in court seated in an empty room via video wearing a gray inmate jumpsuit. He was asked at various times by judge Solomon if he understood the subject of discussion. Each time he answered “Yes, Your honor.”

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 12, 2026

(Update 12:04 p.m.) –

Cooper has admitted to grabbing his girlfriend’s neck during last week’s altercation.

Asked by officer how he grabbed her neck, Cooper said: "Aggressive." He added: "I really wasn't sueezing, it was more to keep her at bay while I'm trying to rip (his) cellphone away from her."

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 12, 2026

Also from arrest warrant from Wednesday, "Cooper questioned where the anger and aggression came from, and when asked,confirmed he's had two serious concussions in the past, both from football."

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 12, 2026