National Football League

Grand jury indicts Ray Rice on aggravated assault charge

Published Mar. 27, 2014 4:31 p.m. ET

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Sid Saraf

Things just got worse for Ray Rice.

The Baltimore Ravens' three-time Pro Bowl running back was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday on a charge of aggravated assault. The charge stems from an incident involving his fiancee Janay Palmer in February. Rice is alleged to have struck Palmer in an elevator at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.

Rice was initially charged with simple assault after police said he knocked out Palmer. However prosecutors took the case to the grand jury, which elevated the charge to the more serious aggravated assault.

TMZ published video in February of Rice allegedly dragging his fiancee out of an elevator.

Rice could face three to five years in prison if convicted.

Palmer's attorney has said he's certain no crime was committed. Rice's attorney, Michael Diamondstein, says Rice denies the charge and that the couple are happy and in counseling. They live in the Baltimore suburb of Reistertown. 

The Ravens issued a statement saying "we know there is more to Ray Rice than this one incident."

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report

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