DEDHAM, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ offseason has begun in the worst possible way. Just five days after a crushing 29-13 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, star wide receiver Stefon Diggs stood before a judge in Dedham District Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges.
Judge Jeanmarie Carroll released the 32-year-old on personal recognizance but ordered him to have absolutely no contact with the alleged victim, his former personal chef, Mila Adams. Diggs, wearing a gray sweater over a white shirt and tie, remained silent throughout the brief five-minute proceeding, leaving the talking to his newly retained attorney, Sara Silva.
Inside the Courtroom: The Allegations
The mood in the courtroom was tense as the details of the December 2, 2025, incident were read into the record. According to police reports, the dispute began over unpaid wages but quickly turned violent inside Diggs’ home. Adams told investigators that Diggs “smacked her across the face” before getting behind her and wrapping his arm around her neck.
Court documents reveal a chilling account where Diggs allegedly “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow,” tightening his grip until Adams felt short of breath and feared she might black out. She claims he then threw her onto a bed and dismissed her claims of being unpaid as “lies.”
Adams waited two weeks to report the incident, finally going to police on December 16. Prosecutors noted she initially hesitated to press charges due to Diggs’ fame but ultimately decided to move forward. The arraignment, originally set for late January, was controversially postponed to February 13 to allow Diggs to play in the Super Bowl a game where the Patriots’ offense struggled to find a rhythm against Seattle’s Legion of Boom 2.0.
The Defense and The “Financial Dispute”
Diggs’ legal team is aggressively fighting the narrative. While his previous attorneys had already issued a statement “categorically denying” the allegations, his new counsel, Sara Silva—a heavyweight in Massachusetts criminal defense—is expected to lean hard into the theory that this is a “shakedown” over money.
The defense has characterized the allegations as unsubstantiated and motivated entirely by a financial disagreement between an employer and an employee. The Patriots organization has publicly stated they support Diggs as the legal process unfolds, a stance that may be tested as more details emerge.
“I Am A Survivor”: The Accuser Speaks
Shortly after the arraignment, the narrative shifted again when Mila Adams broke her silence. In a statement to TMZ, she pushed back against the defense’s claims of a money grab.
“I am speaking now to address false information that has been shared publicly… As a survivor of domestic violence, I take these matters extremely seriously and would never make false claims for personal gain.”
— Mila Adams, via TMZ
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The legal clock is now ticking. Diggs is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 1. Beyond the legal jeopardy—Massachusetts law carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years for felony strangulation—Diggs faces the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Even if acquitted, the league has a history of suspending players for six games in cases involving domestic violence or assault. For a Patriots team that just found its stride with quarterback Drake Maye, losing their top target for a chunk of the 2026 season could derail their hopes of a Super Bowl return. The $63.5 million contract Diggs signed last offseason now hangs in the balance, with guaranteed money likely voidable if he is suspended or convicted.
