8:04 AM PT — Mark Sanchez is now facing a Level 5 Felony battery charge … which carries a penalty of one to six years behind bars, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced minutes ago.

Local cops and officials are about to address the late-night stabbing incident involving Mark Sanchez … with a press conference slated to go down in a matter of minutes.

The 38-year-old former NFL quarterback was hit with three misdemeanor charges — battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle — following an altercation with a 69-year-old delivery driver early Saturday morning in downtown Indianapolis.

The driver claims he was delivering fryer oil at a hotel loading dock when Sanchez approached him and took issue with his parking spot … and after a tense back and forth, he tried to pepper spray the ex-USC star.

When that wasn’t effective, the driver told cops he feared for his life and stabbed Sanchez several times. The alleged victim suffered a serious gash to his cheek.

Sanchez and the alleged victim were taken to the hospital with injuries … and after reviewing surveillance footage of the altercation, the NFL vet was arrested.

Sanchez has yet to share his side of things … as he doesn’t remember much from the night.