Months after Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward was arrested and charged in a third-degree felony domestic violence case, the accusation from his son’s mother has been dismissed by a Montgomery County grand jury.
The case was no-billed, meaning the grand jury didn’t find probable cause that a criminal offense occurred.
Without that determination, a case could not move forward to trial against the 34-year-old former Texans team captain.
An extensive packet of information, which included text messages from the accuser, was provided by his defense team in advance of the grand jury proceeding as exculpatory evidence. The defense also pointed out factual inconsistencies that demonstrated issues with the complainant’s credibility, according to his lawyers.
“I can finally move forward,” Ward told KPRC 2 after the judgment was submitted. “Truth has prevailed. Cases like mine show something we don’t talk about enough: Innocent people do get accused and even charged with crimes they didn’t commit. I was fortunate that the truth came out and the grand jury cleared me. I want to thank the Montgomery County legal system, the judge and the attorneys involved in my case. Their professionalism and fairness meant everything to me. From the beginning, this was about the truth, and I am grateful the truth has prevailed.”
“Carrying false accusations on my name was one of the hardest things I ever experienced. There were days I thought I couldn’t get through, but their love and support reminded me I wasn’t alone. I learned that people will try to hurt you for their own gain. They will lie on your name, try to destroy your reputation and break your spirit. The woman who accused me has a history of false claims and attempted extortion. None of her accusations were true. And while I stand vindicated, the scars remain. The humiliation, the pain, the sleepless nights, they don’t just disappear. This trial tested me, but it also strengthened my faith in God, in the legal system, and in those who truly support me. I’m grateful, I’m relieved, and I’m ready to move forward: on the field, off the field, and in life.”
The Texans have reserved judgment in this high-profile situation, including coach DeMeco Ryans, as Ward remained on the roster throughout the legal process while rehabbing from offseason foot surgery at NRG Stadium.
‘Today, we presented our grand jury packet and evidence to the grand jury to show that Mr. Ward was factually innocent of the allegations against him,” attorney Stephen Jackson told KPRC 2. “The district attorney also provided information to the grand jury, that we believe, assisted the grand jury in coming to the conclusion that Mr. Ward should be no-billed. We believe not only was he exonerated by the grand jury but that the actions of the grand jury show that Jimmie was factually innocent.
“We and Jimmie want to thank the National Football League commissioner, Roger Goodell, the Houston Texans organization and their ownership for their patience in this situation and their belief in Jimmie to let the facts all come out and not rush to judgment. Now, Jimmie can resume his role with the Texans and their quest for a Super Bowl, and also allows him to get back to the community and how he gives back to the city of Houston. What happened to Jimmie was wrong. And we truly thank everybody who waited to hear the results before rushing to judgment and taking action.”
Ward is still on the NFL commissioner-exempt list, meaning he is ineligible to practice or play in the equivalent of paid leave. At the same time, the league continues to monitor the case and conduct its own personal conduct policy investigation. That status could change, though, with the resolution of the criminal matter.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to KPRC 2 that Ward remains on the commissioner-exempt list at this time.
“We continue to monitor all developments in the matter, which remains under review,” McCarthy said in an email.
Ward is still facing a $20 million civil lawsuit filed by attorney Tony Buzbee in Harris County, a filing based on allegations of domestic violence. The woman alleged that Ward assaulted her multiple times in the presence of their three-year-old child, leaving her “physically injured and psychologically traumatized.”
- Related: Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward arrested for felony domestic violence charge in Montgomery County
Ward was accused of attempting to strangle his former fiancée, who said she feared for her life. The grand jury didn’t agree with those allegations, though, per Ward’s legal team.
Jackson predicted multiple times that Ward would be “vindicated” and asked people to withhold judgment before he had his day in court.
Ward was represented by Montgomery County attorneys Jackson and Andrea Kolski, his co-counsel, in this case heard before Judge Lisa Michalk.
“Obviously, we’re relieved and happy the grand jury paid attention to the actual facts of this case,” Kolski, a former Harris County prosecutor, said in a telephone interview. “Jimmie can now go back to focusing his time and attention on, playing football, spending time with his son and returning to his leadership role in the community. It’s our hope with this exoneration that we don’t have to give these false claims any more oxygen. As a female, I certainly do not condone or enable abusers.
“Actual proven domestic violence is terrible and should be eliminated, and women should be empowered. However, when false allegations of abuse are made, it’s destructive, life-changing, and has sinister consequences. You have to be careful about the relationships you choose. The NFL took this matter very seriously, and we hope they take his exoneration just as seriously to allow him to get back on the field as soon as possible.”
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputies said in an incident report that the victim alleged she had been assaulted, strangled, and threatened by her former fiancé, identified as Ward. Ward was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and booked on charges of Assault Family Violence Impeding Breath/Circulation, a third-degree felony under Texas law.
Ward, according to court records of the lawsuit filed by Buzbee, who has previously sued former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct that have been settled financially, of adultery and “violent, felonious and egregious behavior.”
The lawsuit was previously filed in Montgomery County, and it was dismissed, Jackson told KPRC 2. Lead counsel in the lawsuit is expected to be Bobby Newman after this filing from Buzbee.
“We are aware of the Harris County civil lawsuit that was filed,” Jackson told KPRC 2. “This is the same civil lawsuit that was filed against Mr. Ward by other attorneys who also previously tried and failed in a jury trial to prove that Jimmie was married to Ms. West.”
Bobby Newman previously represented Ward successfully in Montgomery County in a common law marriage filing against the NFL player, winning the case. Ward was awarded roughly $250,000 in attorney fees against the woman.
“I know there are a lot of allegations and things with Jimmie,” Ryans said previously when asked about Ward’s case. “We don’t know the true story of all those, and I hate to jump to rush judgment on any situation with Jimmie. We’ll let the situation play itself out, let whatever has to happen in the court system, let that play out.
“I think it’s unfair to rush to judgment when allegations and stories come out on players. Everybody’s quick to jump on it and jump on the negative side with the players. Let’s just allow it to play out and we’ll see what happens when everything is over.”
‘Unfair to rush to judgment’ on #Texans Jimmie Ward on ‘allegations’ from civil lawsuit per coach DeMeco Ryans says let ‘situation play out’ @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/kN4vfTk0Xt
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 21, 2025
#Texans safety Jimmie Ward, with a felony domestic violence case going to grand jury in Montgomery County later this month, now facing civil lawsuit in Harris County from the mother of his son who accused him of assault. The plaintiff’s lawyer is Tony Buzbee @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/1o0gHZ2CJX
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 21, 2025
The lawsuit alleges that Ward sexually assaulted the woman on or about April 25, 2025.
Ward was arrested on June 12. He was subsequently arrested for testing positive for alcohol, a violation of his bond, and was sanctioned by Michalk with one night in jail. That didn’t affect the status of the case.
The woman alleged that Ward was “under the influence of methamphetamines, specifically, crystal meth,” and slapped and choked her as their son was sleeping, threatened to kill her and allegedly forced her to perform a sexual act. The lawsuit remains active at this time.
Ward was arrested and charged in June on a third-degree felony domestic violence case involving the woman who has now sued him. She filed for and was granted an emergency protective order preventing any contact with Ward.
Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio commented on the arrest when training camp began
“With Jimmie, it’s unfortunate any time something like that happens and comes out in the news and that happens to one of your players,” said Ryans, who also coached Ward with the San Francisco 49ers and recruited him to join the Texans. “Jimmie is a guy that I’ve known the longest. Since I first started in the NFL I’ve worked with Jimmie. I know the type of guy he is, and we’ll just let the legal situation play itself out.”
Ward signed a one-year contract extension last year. He originally joined the team in the 2023 offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal.
The victim filed an emergency protective order to ensure her immediate safety and provide ongoing protection.
“We believe that Jimmie will be vindicated,” Jackson previously told KPRC 2. “We just ask that the public reserve judgment so that we can show everyone that the Jimmie Ward they all know is the same person and did not do this.”
In the initial hearing, Ward was informed he could be sentenced up to 10 years under sentencing guidelines if convicted, along with a $10,000 fine.
During the reading of the charges, the assistant district attorney said the victim stated that Ward: “slapped her in the face, strangled her and threatened to kill her. She stated that she felt pain in her throat and was unable to breathe before she was able to get him off of her and get out of the house and call 911. Mr. Ward declined to speak with officers and insisted that they speak with his lawyer.”
The judge said she found probable cause and accepted the $30,000 bond requested, along with the GPS monitor to be installed and the emergency protective order. Ward is not allowed to have any contact, communication or or interaction with the victim.
Montgomery County deputies were called to a home located in the North Grove subdivision, located off FM 2978 in Magnolia, about an assault in progress.
Jimmie Ward’s athletic career
The Texans traded for veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and have installed him as their starting strong safety opposite starting free safety Calen Bullock.
Ward, who previously played for Ryans with the 49ers, where the Texans coach was the defensive coordinator, has been training in hopes of playing at some point this season.
Limited to 10 games overall last season, Ward was effective when he was in the lineup with 48 tackles, five for losses, two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. Ward was a key piece of the defense as the replacement for standout nickel Jalen Pitre. Since replacing Pitre in the lineup, Ward returned one interception for a touchdown and recorded 24 tackles with four for losses and two passes defensed over the last month of the 2024 season.
Before last season, Ward signed a one-year, $10.302 million extension that included a $5.25 million signing bonus and $8.75 million guaranteed. He’s due a $2.75 million base salary in 2025 with $2 million of it fully guaranteed, per game active roster bonuses up to $500,000, and $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives for playing time. He has a $5.669 million salary cap figure.
Ward has been limited to 20 games for the Texans over the past two seasons due to injuries.
Ward has started 99 of 126 career games since being drafted by the 49ers in 2014 and has four career interceptions and 549 tackles.
“Yeah, working through that,” Caserio said in response to a question at the start of training camp about Ward’s status with the defending AFC South champions. “Kind of let the legal process take care of itself. We have been in contact with the league. We will work with the league. We will be compliant on our end, and do the best we can. Whatever the outcome is, we’ll handle it accordingly.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com