Jury deliberates in trial for Ravens security director

The Ravens head of security Darren Sanders, who was accused of a sex offense against a stadium employee, was found not guilty on both counts. The Associated Press generally doesn’t identify alleged victims of sexual assault.

During closing arguments Thursday, prosecutor Gavin Patashnick told jurors that the trial revolved primarily around power, and that Sanders, a man in an important position for a high-profile corporation, leveraged his influence to exploit a hard-working woman who was vulnerable. He testified Wednesday that not only did he never touch the woman, but he rebuffed her advances: Sanders told jurors that she asked for his phone number and he politely declined. According to the Baltimore Sun, Sanders testified that after the Ravens’ win over the Jaguars, he had trouble finding his way out of the stadium trying to meet then-girlfriend Pam Lund, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti’s assistant, when he encountered the accuser.

“Mr. Sanders didn’t do this, and we’re going to make that clear to the jury”, said Andrew Alperstein, Sanders’ lawyer. He said he didn’t want to be rude and told her he would be back in two weeks for the next home game before taking the elevator down to his vehicle.

Sanders was placed on paid leave on December. 30, in accordance with the NFL’s personal-conduct policy.