Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has been arrested in connection to an alleged armed attack on a group of men in Tampa, Fla., in February. He faces eight felony charges of kidnapping and robbery that could keep him in prison for life if convicted.
Investigators believe Arnold was the “primary conspirator” in an alleged plot that left three young men with “visible injuries from being battered, held at gunpoint, and pistol-whipped before their personal property was stolen and they were ordered to leave,” the Tampa Police Department said Wednesday in a news release.
Six other suspects previously were arrested. Two women already pleaded guilty and agreed to help authorities prosecute Arnold, police said.
The second-year NFL player turned himself in Wednesday night and was held in a Hillsborough County jail without bond before his arraignment hearing Thursday afternoon.
Arnold appeared remotely during the brief hearing, where he was charged with three counts of robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon for less than $750 and three counts of kidnapping to harm or terrorize, all of which are first-degree felonies. He also was charged with two second-degree felonies for conspiring to commit those crimes.
“He’s absolutely denying these allegations,” defense attorney R. Timothy Jansen said during court proceedings.
Arnold will be held without bond until a pretrial detention hearing Monday, where the Hillsborough County state attorney’s office will argue for him to remain behind bars until trial.
According to police, several items belonging to Arnold and others were stolen Feb. 1 from an Airbnb rental property in Largo. They reported to Largo police that the items were worth more than $250,000.
The alleged attack that led to Arnold’s arrest occurred early Feb. 4. It was plotted, police said, because Arnold suspected that two of the three men were responsible for stealing his property. Investigators later determined those men were not involved.
Police said the victims were lured to an apartment, where they were held at gunpoint and hit by suspects who were streaming the attack to Arnold, who is accused of helping coordinate the plot and giving orders to the alleged attackers on a group chat. He later arrived at the apartment and drove some of the suspects away, police said.
“Fame doesn’t get you out of criminal charges or our pursuit of justice and holding criminals accountable,” Tampa police chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement on social media. “Our victims now have some closure thanks to the great work of our detectives and our strong partnership with State Attorney Suzy Lopez.”
The head of the management agency that represents Arnold said in a statement that the former first-round draft pick “categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence.”
“There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations,” EAG Sports Management chief executive Denise White said. “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.”
Arnold has played 24 games for the Lions. He had 31 tackles and an interception last season before going on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury on Dec. 1.
The Lions said they are aware of Arnold’s situation but have no further comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
