Former Patriots Player Danny Villa Arrested on Child Rape Charges

Former New England Patriots player and coach of the Walpole High School team in Massachusetts Danny Villa has been arrested on child rape charges.

Villa resigned from his post as school coach Tuesday citing “personal reasons” although later reports suggest he was confronted with the allegation. Villa surrendered to police in Arizona on Saturday, one day after a court in Massachusetts issued a warrant for his arrest.

He faces three counts of rape of a child over 14 and three counts of enticing a minor.

Danny Villa’s lawyer said in a statement that his client handed himself over to police when he became aware they were looking for him. He also plans to plead not guilty to the charges.

Villa, who retired from professional football in 1998 also played for the Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers. His achievements include being picked in the 1986 consensus All-America pick by the Associated Press and the Football Writers Association, and a finalist for the Outland Trophy.