Police Arrest Raiders’ Russell in Sexual Assault Case

SAN FRANCISCO — Oakland Rai-der defensive tackle Darrell Russell and two other men were arrested Friday in Alameda on suspicion of drugging and sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman.

Russell, serving a one-year NFL suspension after testing positive for the drug Ecstasy, had not been formally charged and was being held in jail, Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff said.

Alameda Police Lt. Jim Brock said Russell’s bail was set at $1.2 million and that he would be charged with seven counts of rape.

He said Russell knew the woman for about six months and apparently called and asked her to meet him and some friends at the Starlight Lounge in San Francisco on Wednesday. The woman told police Russell bought her a drink just before closing time.

Brock said the woman went to the hospital and was tested for rape. He said physical evidence gathered there showed she had been assaulted.

During the arrest, police also collected “strong physical evidence that corroborates the victim’s account of what occurred,” Brock said.

The woman said she was assaulted at a home in Alameda where Russell had been staying.

A message was left for Russell’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, on Friday. The Raiders could not immediately be reached for comment.