Detroit Lions’ cornerback Terrion Arnold could face a life sentence after being apprehended in relation to an armed robbery case.
The 23-year-old Arnold turned himself in to the authorities on June 24 and now confronts four counts each of robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, as well as kidnapping, based on Hillsborough County jail records available to Oxygen.
Arnold is accused of orchestrating the kidnapping of three men who were lured to a Florida apartment and then robbed, beaten and held at gunpoint, according to a statement from the The State Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County.
Arnold reportedly suspected the victims involved in the theft of property exceeding $200,000 from his Airbnb. However, prosecutors stated there is “no evidence to prove the victims were behind the theft.”
A representative for Arnold has denied any involvement in the alleged crime.
“Terrion Arnold firmly denies any participation in the incidents connected to the accusations against him and asserts his innocence,” CEO of EAG Sports Management Denise White communicated in a statement released to Oxygen. “There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these claims. The government seems to be basing its case on the accounts of several convicted felons, who have admitted their own roles in the incidents and could have compelling reasons to deflect blame to mitigate their sentences.”
Terrion Arnold Accused of Orchestrating Kidnapping and Beating of Three Men
Tampa Police said the incident began Feb. 1 after “multiple items of personal property belonging to Arnold and others” totaling more than $250,000 were stolen from the Airbnb Arnold was renting.
Arnold allegedly suspected his personal driver and two of the driver’s associates were behind the theft, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Arnold, Boakai Hilton, Jr., 23, Freddie Hughes, 27, and a fourth individual reported the theft to the Largo Police Department on Feb. 3, police said.
But later that same day, police said Arnold and Hilton allegedly decided to take matters into their own hands and enlisted two teen girls—Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo—to lure the victims to an apartment.
The three victims drove to the apartment around midnight on Feb. 4 to see the teens, unaware that Christion Williams, 24, and Lyndell Hudson II, 26, were hiding inside a closet of one of the bedrooms awaiting their arrival, per the Tampa Police.
“When the victims went in the bedroom,” police said, “they said Williams and Hudson grabbed them, held them at gunpoint and hit them.”
Arnold, Hilton and Hughes were allegedly streaming the incident as they made their way to the apartmentl, police said. Arnold and Hilton are also accused of giving directions to the alleged attackers through a group chat message.
When the trio arrived at the property about an hour later, the alleged attack was still going on. Arnold—who was deemed the “primary conspirator” by police—allegedly directed Hilton, Hughes and another individual to go inside the apartment.
Hughes, Hudson and Williams allegedly stole property belonging to the victims as the beating continued. The victims were then were escorted outside at gunpoint and forced into their vehicle, before they left the scene, police said.
The victims later reported the incident to police and identified their attackers, authorities said.
Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo Plead Guilty, Agree to Testify
On June 24, Del Valle and Randazzo, both 19, pled guilty for their roles in luring the victims to the property and have agreed to testify against their co-defendants. In exchange, prosecutors said Randazzo was sentenced to four years in a Florida State Prison, along with six years of probation. De Valle will face sentencing at a later date.
Hilton, Hudson, Hughes and Williams are all currently being held without bond. All four have entered pleas of not guilty, according to court records reviewed by Oxygen. Oxygen also reached out to their attorneys, but did not receive an immediate reply.
Arnold is also currently being held without bond, per jail records.
“Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court,” White told Oxygen, “and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”
If convicted, prosecutors said he could be facing life in prison.
“No one has the right to take the law into their own hands,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez noted in the statement from prosecutors. “A dispute over missing property does not justify kidnapping, violence, or retaliation.”
She added that Arnold’s arrest was the culmination of “months of investigative work.”
“We will continue to pursue justice for the three victims,” she said, “by holding everyone accountable for their roles in this crime.”
In a statement to NFL.com the Lions said they were “aware of the legal situation regarding Terrion Arnold,” but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.