Baltimore City, MD – Jack Callis, the 24-year-old Baltimore Ravens supporter who gained notoriety after a video circulated online appearing to show him assaulting two men, was denied bail during a court hearing on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred in Federal Hill following a game between the Ravens and the Washington Commanders on October 13th, has led to serious charges for Callis.
Callis is facing serious legal repercussions, including one count of first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 55 years in jail. The charges stem from an incident captured on video that went viral across social media platforms. The footage allegedly depicts Callis, wearing Ravens apparel, attacking two men sporting Commanders jerseys. He turned himself in to the Baltimore Police Department on Tuesday in response to the warrant issued for his arrest.
John Callis Baltimore Police
Brian Thompson, Callis’s attorney, argued that the charges against his client are excessive. Speaking to WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren, Thompson stated, “I don’t believe this is a first-degree assault. I think it’s a second-degree assault. First-degree assault requires serious bodily injury.” Callis’s mother was present at the court proceedings and displayed visible emotion, though she declined to comment to the press.
The Viral Attack in Federal Hill
The altercation took place in the vicinity of Cross Street Market in Federal Hill, a popular area in Baltimore, after the Baltimore Ravens secured a victory over the Washington Commanders.
According to charging documents, the widely circulated video footage captured the second encounter between John Callis and the two victims.
Charging documents featuring images from the viral video of John Callis assaulting two men in Baltimore after a Ravens game, used as evidence in court.
Prosecutors stated that Callis had already inflicted severe injuries on the two men in an earlier confrontation, during which they were also robbed of personal items, including a phone and wallet. The video evidence reportedly shows Callis attacking the victims again when they returned to retrieve their belongings. One of the victims suffered a concussion after being knocked unconscious during the assault.
Victims Report Feeling “Humiliated” and “Fearful”
Prosecutor Twila Driggins informed the judge that the victims reported feeling “humiliated” and expressed fear of further attacks from John Callis. Judge LaTina Burse Greene, presiding over the hearing, described the evidence against Callis as “strong,” stating, “It was clearly an unprovoked assault.” Consequently, Judge Greene rejected the defense’s request to release Callis on GPS monitoring to an outpatient treatment facility.
Thompson expressed his disappointment with the court’s decision, stating, “Of course, it’s disappointing. I think he needs help. The criminal justice system is both designed to punish and rehabilitate. He’s a 24-year-old kid. He clearly has a problem. He needs help, and I’m trying to get him help, and I believe the judge will be amenable to it with a different program.” Danny Smith from OnePromise, the treatment program recommended by the defense, echoed this sentiment, “I understand the judge’s decision, but I certainly believe he can benefit from recovery and can benefit from treatment. And proper treatment will certainly make a difference in Mr. Callis’ life.” Despite these arguments, Judge Greene declined to approve the OnePromise treatment program at this time.
John Callis’s Troubled History Revealed in Court
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that John Callis admitted to a history of daily cocaine use for the past four years, including on the day of the alleged assault. Furthermore, prosecutors disclosed Callis had received probation before judgment for a previous “alcohol-fueled” assault in Towson in November 2021, where he reportedly beat a man unconscious on York Road. He also received probation in 2020 for another assault in Delaware, also reportedly involving alcohol. Judge Greene indicated that she would reconsider releasing Callis into a suitable inpatient treatment facility if the defense could identify one.
Job Termination Following Viral Video
The court also heard that prior to the incident, Callis had relocated to Sarasota, Florida, to live with his father. Prosecutors revealed that Callis’s employer identified him after being shown the viral video. He was subsequently terminated from his remote job, which he had commenced just 34 days prior to the Ravens game incident.
Mike Hellgren, WJZ Investigator, contributed to this report.
