Texans’ Jimmie Ward, facing felony criminal case, now a defendant in civil lawsuit filed by Tony Buzbee in Harris County

HOUSTON – Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward, facing a pending third-degree felony domestic violence assault case in Montgomery County, is now the defendant in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of his son’s mother by plaintiff’s attorney Tony Buzbee in Harris County.

The lawsuit alleges that Ward sexually and physically assaulted the woman. She has separately accused him in a criminal case to be heard by a grand jury before Judge Lisa Michalk on Aug. 31.

Ward, according to court records, is being sued for damages that exceed $20 million. The lawsuit accuses him of adultery and “violent, felonious and egregious behavior.”

The lawsuit was previously filed in Montgomery County and it was dismissed, Ward’s attorney Steve Jackson of Conroe, told KPRC 2. Lead counsel in this matter is expected to be Bobby Newman after this filing from Buzbee.

“We are aware of the Harris County civil lawsuit that was filed,” Jackson told KPRC 2. “This is the same civil lawsuit that was filed against Mr. Ward by other attorneys who also previously tried and failed in a jury trial to prove that Jimmie was married to Ms. West. It is our intention at this time to focus on the criminal allegations and the upcoming grand jury hearing in hopes of this matter being dismissed.”

Newman previously represented Ward successfully in Montgomery County in a common law marriage filing against the NFL player, winning the case. Ward was awarded roughly $250,000 in attorney fees against the woman.

“I know there are a lot of allegations and things with Jimmie,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We don’t know the true story of all those and I hate to jump to rush judgment on any situation with Jimmie. We’ll let the situation play itself out, let whatever has to happen in the court system, let that play out.

“I think it’s unfair to rush to judgment when allegations and stories come out on players. Everybody’s quick to jump on it and jump on the negative side with the players. Let’s just allow it to play out and we’ll see what happens when everything is over.”

The woman alleged that Ward assaulted her multiple times in the presence of their three-year-old child, leaving her “physically injured and psychologically traumatized.”

Ward is on the Texans’ active physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason foot surgery and isn’t healthy enough to return to practice yet. The team is allowing the legal process to play out. Meanwhile, the NFL is investigating the situation under its personal conduct policy. Ward could face a potentially lengthy suspension, depending on the outcome of these legal matters.

The lawsuit alleges that Ward sexually assaulted the woman on or about April 25, 2025.

Ward was arrested June 12. He was recently arrested for testing positive for alcohol, a violation of his bond, and was sanctioned by Michalk with one night in jail. Ward has been working out regularly at NRG Stadium.

Ward’s attorney has previously predicted that Ward will be “vindicated” and asked people to withhold judgment before he has his day in court.

The woman alleges that Ward was “under the influence of methamphetamines, specifically, crystal meth,” and slapped and choked her as their son was sleeping, threatened to kill her and allegedly forced her to perform a sexual act.

Buzbee previously sued former Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson multiple times for alleged sexual misconduct involving masseuses, and eventually settled the civil litigation for a significant amount of money.

Ward previously violated a condition of his $30,000 bail by testing positive for alcohol and remained in jail overnight as a sanction before being released Friday, according to his Conroe-based attorney, Jackson. Jackson said there was no contact with the complainant and his client was unaware he couldn’t drink any alcohol, at all.

Ward, 34, was arrested and charged in June on a third-degree felony domestic violence case involving the woman who has now sued him. She filed for and was granted an emergency protective order preventing any contact with Ward.

“It’s a condition of bond, and there are certain conditions like you can’t drink,” Jackson told KPRC 2. “Jimmie believed it was for not getting intoxicated, like he could have a drink. There was no contact with the complainant. The court has a zero tolerance policy for drinking while on bond, unbeknownst to him.

“The judge issued a sanction, so he will spend the night in jail overnight. This has nothing to do with the complaining witness at all. There are no new allegations against Jimmie. The judge wants to treat him fairly, like anyone else.”

Ward has been assigned an Aug. 13 initial court date of an information setting before Judge Lisa Michalk on a third-degree charge of alleged strangulation stemming from an early-morning arrest in June, he remains on the Texans’ roster.

Jackson said that Ward’s case will be heard by a grand jury Aug. 31.

“The case will go to the grand jury at the end of the month where we expect it to be no-billed by the grand jury and Jimmie can resume his normal activities,” Jackson said. “We will be presenting information to the grand jury in hopes of getting the case no-billed and dismissed.”

Ward, who isn’t healthy enough to practice due to foot surgery this offseason and is on the active-physically unable to perform list, reported for training camp.

Related: Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward arrested for felony domestic violence charge in Montgomery County

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio commented on the arrest when training camp began

“With Jimmy, it’s unfortunate any time something like that happens and comes out in the news and that happens to one of your players,” said Ryans, who also coached Ward with the San Francisco 49ers and recruited him to join the Texans. “Jimmy is a guy that I’ve known the longest. Since I first started in the NFL I’ve worked with Jimmy. I know the type of guy he is, and we’ll just let the legal situation play itself out.”

A former team captain, Ward is represented by Jackson, a Conroe-based attorney. Jackson told KPRC 2 that his client will be “vindicated” and asked that people “reserve judgment” until Ward can defend himself in court.

Ward is eligible to play for the Texans once he’s healthy, but it’s unclear whether they plan to have him practice while he’s dealing with his case.

“Yeah, working through that,” Caserio said in response to a question about Ward’s status with the defending AFC South champions. “Kind of let the legal process take care of itself. We have been in contact with the league. We will work with the league. We will be compliant on our end, do the best we can.

“So, I think it’s day-to-day, but kind of let that process kind of take care of itself. Whatever the outcome is we’ll handle it accordingly.”

Ward is under contract after signing a one-year contract extension last year. He originally joined the team in the 2023 offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s office deputies said the victim alleged she had been assaulted, strangled, and threatened by her fiancé, identified as Ward. Ward was transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Jail and booked on charges of Assault Family Violence Impeding Breath/Circulation, a third-degree felony under Texas law.

The victim filed an emergency protective order to ensure her immediate safety and provide ongoing protection.

“We believe that Jimmie will be vindicated,” Jackson told KPRC 2. “We just ask that the public reserve judgment so that we can show everyone that the Jimmie Ward they all know is the same person and did not do this.”

In an initial appearance video obtained by KPRC 2, Ward said he understood what he was charged with, replying: ‘Yes, ma’am."

In the hearing, Ward was informed he could be sentenced up to 10 years under sentencing guidelines if convicted and a $10,000 fine.

During the reading of the charges, the assistant district attorney said the victim stated that Ward: “slapped her in the face, strangled her and threatened to kill her. She stated that she felt pain in her throat and was unable to breathe before she was able to get him off of her and get out of the house and call 911. Mr. Ward declined to speak with officers and insisted that they speak with his lawyer.”

The judge said she found probable cause and accepted the $30,000 bond requested along with the GPS monitor be installed and the emergency protective order. Ward is not allowed to have any contact, communication or or interaction with the victim. Ward requested a bail hearing and for an opportunity to retrieve personal belongings.

Montgomery County deputies were called to a home located in the North Grove subdivision, located off FM 2978 in Magnolia about an assault in progress.

Texans, NFL respond to allegations

The incident is being reviewed by the NFL under its personal conduct policy, as are all off-field legal matters of this nature. The NFL has wide-ranging disciplinary policies. Normally, a six-game suspension is the punishment in domestic-violence cases.

“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told KPRC 2. “We have no further comment at this time.”

Jimmie Ward’s athletic career

The Texans traded for veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and have installed him as their starting strong safety opposite starting free safety Calen Bullock.

Ward, who previously played for Ryans with the 49ers where the Texans coach was the defensive coordinator, is out of a walking boot and running again.

Limited to 10 games overall last season, Ward was effective when he was in the lineup with 48 tackles, five for losses, two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. Ward was a key piece of the defense as the replacement for standout nickel Jalen Pitre. Since replacing Pitre in the lineup, Ward returned one interception for a touchdown and recorded 24 tackles with four for losses and two passes defensed over the last month of the 2024 season.

Before the season, Ward signed a one-year, $10.302 million extension that included a $5.25 million signing bonus and $8.75 million guaranteed. He’s due a $2.75 million base salary in 2025 with $2 million of it fully guaranteed, per game active roster bonuses up to $500,000, and $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives for playing time. He has a $5.669 million salary cap figure.

Ward has been limited to 20 games for the Texans over the past two seasons due to injuries.

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Ward has started 99 of 126 career games since being drafted by the 49ers in 2014 and has four career interceptions and 549 tackles.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com