Report: Facing felony charge, Michael Bennett turns himself in

Michael Bennett reportedly turned himself in Monday afternoon at the Harris County District Court in Houston, Texas.

Bennett indicted for alleged Super Bowl LI incident

The former Seattle Seahawks defensive end faces a felony charge of injury to the elderly. He posted a $10,000 bond that allows him to travel between Honolulu and Houston, The Seattle Times reports.

A reporter for KPRC-TV tweeted a photo of Bennett in court.

Bennett’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, told USA TODAY that Bennett was out of the country when his indictment was announced on Friday.

Bennett faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to a statement from the Office of District Attorney for Harris County, Texas, Bennett “shoved his way on to the field” at the end of the Super Bowl LI game between Falcons-Patriots after being told to use a different entrance to the field. He was trying to gain access to the field to celebrate the Patriots’ win with his brother, Martellus. During the incident, Bennett allegedly injured a 66-year-old paraplegic woman. Bennett was still with the Seahawks at the time.

Bennett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles from the Seahawks earlier this month. The Eagles noted they are “aware of the situation” and are gathering information. However, the team would not comment further.

Haymarket Books, the publisher behind Bennett’s upcoming book “Things That Make White People Uncomfortable,” released a statement over the weekend regarding the allegations.

“Michael Bennett is being targeted for being a Black man who speaks out boldly against racism and police brutality,” the statement reads. “The latest charges against Michael are clearly an effort by his political opponents — once again — to silence him. We will not let them succeed.”

Bennett is scheduled to start his book tour March 31 in Philadelphia. He plans to visit Seattle April 9.