Patriots' Alfonzo Dennard Guilty of Assaulting Police Officer, Resisting Arrest

New England Patriots defensive back Alfonzo Dennard has been found guilty by a jury of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, according to Lincoln Journal Star reporter Lori Pilger (via Twitter) on Wednesday:

"

Jury finds #Dennard guilty of assault on officer, resisting arrest, not guilty of assaulting Lincoln man. #Huskers

— Lori Pilger (@LJSpilger) February 20, 2013"

Pilger went on to report that Dennard will be sentenced this spring, and that he could potentially spend years behind bars:

"

#Dennard faces up to 6 years at sentencing April 11. #Huskers

— Lori Pilger (@LJSpilger) February 20, 2013"

The incident took place in Lincoln, Neb., before the 2012 NFL draft last April, when Dennard was charged with punching an officer outside of a bar and resisting arrest, according to NFL.com. 

Dennard, 23, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Patriots. The 5'10", 200-pound defender recorded 35 combined tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble during his rookie season with New England.

He played his college football at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he won All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honors in his senior season in 2011.

Dennard had been projected to go anywhere from the second to fourth round in last year's NFL draft before the incident crushed his draft stock. Bill Belichick and the Pats took a bit of a risk drafting him 224th overall, but it paid off this past season, on the field at least, as he helped bolster one of the league's more suspect secondaries.

Originally expected to challenge for a starting spot in New England's secondary this upcoming season, Dennard's outlook in 2013 is now murky. With the potential of spending significant time in prison, his future in the NFL may have to be put on hold for now, or possibly longer.

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