Warren Sapp charged with three counts of domestic battery

Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp was charged with three counts of domestic battery in Las Vegas on Thursday for allegedly biting his girlfriend and stepping on her face during an incident in April.

The misdemeanor charges were filed in Las Vegas Justice Court and a summons has been issued in lieu of Sapp’s arrest. He faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted on all charges.

The charges stem from an April 28 fight between Sapp and his girlfriend, Chalyce Moore. The Clark County District Attorney’s office told the Las Vegas Sun that Moore claimed Sapp bit her finger and stepped on her face during an argument that started at the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas.

Moore said the two started arguing near the hotel’s pool when Sapp threw a margarita in her face, according to a police report obtained by the Associated Press. Security footage from the resort showed Sapp aggressively pulling on Moore’s arm or purse, causing her to lose her balance, the report stated.

Moore told police they continued to argue after returning to her condo. At some point, she claimed Sapp stepped on the right side of her face, but she didn’t remember how she ended up on the floor.

In addition, Moore said Sapp bit her middle finger at one point during the argument, but she couldn’t recall exactly when it happened, according to the police report.

Sapp’s attorney, Craig Mehrens, told Reuters his client “absolutely denies” the charges.

Sapp is due in court July 23.

Last month, Sapp pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of soliciting a prostitute and assault following his Feb. 2 arrest in Phoenix a day after the Super Bowl. He agreed to complete two counseling programs in order to avoid jail time.

Sapp retired from the NFL in 2007 after playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders over a 13-year career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.