By Miriah Stacy
In the days following Super Bowl LX, New England Patriots wide receiverĀ Stefon DiggsĀ found himself facing serious legal challenges off the field. On February 13, 2026, Diggs was arraigned in Dedham District Court in Massachusetts on charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. He pleaded not guilty to both counts and was released on personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for April 1, 2026.
The charges stem from an alleged December 2, 2025 incident involving Diggsā personal chef. According to court records, the woman told authorities that the two argued over payment for her services. She alleges that during the dispute at Diggsā home, he slapped her across the face and attempted to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck, leaving her feeling short of breath and fearing she could lose consciousness. Police reports indicate she initially hesitated to press charges after reporting the incident on December 16, but later chose to move forward.
Chef Mila Adams (personal chef)
Diggsā attorney has strongly denied the accusations, describing them as āunsubstantiatedā and motivated by a financial disagreement. During the brief arraignment ā which lasted less than five minutes ā Diggs stood beside his legal counsel and declined to comment to reporters. The court ordered that he have no contact with the accuser while the case proceeds.
Notably, the arraignment had originally been scheduled for January 23 but was postponed to allow Diggs to compete in Super Bowl LX, where the Patriots fell 29ā13 to the Seattle Seahawks. Diggs, who signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England in the offseason, was a significant offensive target during the teamās AFC East title run. Prior to joining the Patriots, he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, later becoming a standout with the Buffalo Bills and briefly playing for the Houston Texans in 2024.
The New England Patriots organization released a statement expressing support for Diggs as the legal process unfolds. As the case moves toward its April hearing, the situation remains a developing story, carrying both legal implications and potential impact on Diggsā professional future.
In cases involving domestic violence, especially when a public figure is involved, many survivors hesitate to come forward. The fear of not being believed, of facing public scrutiny, or of it becoming a āhe said, she saidā situation can be overwhelming. When celebrity status and influence are involved, the power imbalance can feel even greater. Thatās why itās significant that in this case, the chef chose to take what she describes as the proper legal route ā working through formal legal counsel rather than social media, press tours, or private settlements. She has maintained that she was not seeking validation, attention, or hush money, but instead wanted the matter addressed through the justice system.
Situations like this also highlight a broader issue within the entertainment and sports industries, where allegations can sometimes be quietly resolved without full transparency. While every case deserves due process and fairness for all parties involved, it is equally important to acknowledge how difficult it can be for someone to speak up when powerful names are attached.
By refusing to handle the matter privately and instead allowing it to proceed through the courts, she has made it clear that her focus is on accountability and letting the legal process determine the truth. As the case unfolds, many will be watching to see how the system responds ā and whether justice, in whichever direction it leads, is fully and fairly carried out.
