Attorney: Patricia’s Resurfaced Sex Assault Indictment Not Newsworthy

New Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia was indicted but not prosecuted on sexual assault charges stemming back from a 1996 incident in Texas.

According to court records, Patricia, along with another football friend, was accused of sexually assaulting a college student in a hotel room while on spring break. The indictment came in August of 1996, but the case was thrown out five months later in January of 1997.

Patricia released a statement that said in part:

"As someone who was falsely accused of this very serious charge over 22 years ago, and never given the opportunity to defend myself and clear my name, I find it incredibly unfair, disappointing, and frustrating that this story would resurface now with the only purpose being to damage my character and reputation, I firmly maintain my innocence, as I have always done."

Lions ownership and management released a separate statement saying that the indictment did not show up in standard background checks of Patricia during the hiring process.

Patricia's lawyer at the time when contacted by the Detroit Free Press called the case "not newsworthy".