Detroit Lions star cornerback Terrion Arnold faces the possibility of life in prison after being caught and arrested by Florida police and prosecutors in orchestrating a terrible scheme involving armed robbery, kidnapping, and more. The 23-year-old star turned himself into authorities on Wednesday, June 24, and faced his first court appearance on Thursday, June 25.
Arnold now faces four counts of robbery with a firearm and four counts of kidnapping to inflict bodily harm or terrorize, as was revealed by the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office in an official statement. The series of crimes that Arnold allegedly organized occurred in February and took place in Tampa, Florida. Arnold is being locked up by the authorities while the case moves forward.
According to the authorities, the NFL star, formerly a first-round draft pick, was involved in planning and conducting a scheme in which three young men were lured to an apartment where they were beaten, kidnapped, and held at gunpoint by a band of thugs before later being released.
Further, all three of the victims of the kidnapping and robbery plot were left suffering from what prosecutors described as visible injuries, which came from them being pistol-whipped by the gang of thugs that did the kidnapping and armed robbery. Each of the three victims had his personal belongings stolen during the crisis.
As to why Arnold, a highly successful NFL star, was involved in such a scheme, prosecutors claim that he organized this in response to a previous robbery that he suffered: when staying at an Airbnb in Largo, Florida, he had roughly a quarter-million dollars worth of property stolen from him. That included $100,000 in cash, an $80,000 necklace, a Detroit Lions-issued cellphone, and more.
Such is why, prosecutors claimed, he reportedly helped coordinate the kidnapping and robbery just hours after filing the theft report with the Largo Police Department. Regardless of what his intent was, he didn’t even get revenge, as prosecutors revealed that there is no evidence that the three victims of the robbery were in any way tied to the burglary and theft that Arnold reported.
Arnold, for his part, has denied any wrongdoing. Such is what he claimed in a statement issued through his agent, Denise White of EAG Sports Management. White began, “Terrion Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence.”
"*" indicates required fields
Adding to that, the agent said, “There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations. Instead, the government appears to be relying on testimony from multiple convicted felons who have admitted their own involvement and may have substantial incentives to shift blame in an effort to lessen their sentences.”
White then added that Arnold thinks he will be vindicated in court, saying, “Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.” The Detroit Lions, for their part, have acknowledged that Arnold was arrested but have not otherwise commented on the situation.
Watch Arnold appear in court here: