Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Florida after facing an arrest warrant in connection to a robbery and kidnapping in Tampa, according to the Florida state attorney’s office in Hillsborough County.
In a press release on Wednesday, June 24, the Florida state attorney’s office announced Arnold will face “multiple felony charges which carry a potential sentence of up to life in prison.”
Advertisement
“Arnold is accused of coordinating and directing … codefendants to lure three men to an apartment where the victims were robbed, beaten, and held at gunpoint,” the press release states.
According to the release, the Lions‘ cornerback initially reported to the Largo Police Department that he had been a victim of theft – $200,000 in “personal items” was stolen from an Airbnb that Arnold owned. Arnold allegedly began orchestrating his retaliation with others within hours of giving his theft report to the police, according to an investigation cited in the press release from the state attorney’s office.
TERRION ARNOLD: Lions’ CB arrested; charges carry possible life in prison
“No one has the right to take the law into their own hands,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement. “A dispute over missing property does not justify kidnapping, violence, or retaliation. This arrest is the result of months of investigative work and collaboration between the Tampa Police Department and our prosecutors.”
Advertisement
Terrion Arnold arrested
Arnold and four codefendants are currently in jail without bond, according to the release. Two other co-defendants “pleaded guilty to their roles in the crime” in a June 24 hearing. One of those who pleaded guilty was sentenced to four years in prison followed by six years of probation; the other “entered an open plea with the court, and sentencing will be set off to a later date.”
“We will continue to pursue justice for the three victims by holding everyone accountable for their roles in this crime,” Lopez said in a statement.
In February, Arnold’s name appeared in court files related to the Florida kidnapping and robbery case. He said in a statement at the time that he “had no involvement whatsoever.” Criminal defense attorney R. Timothy Jansen told the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, in a statement in February that no charges were filed against Arnold “after direct communication with the lead prosecutor.”
Advertisement
“Terrion Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence,” said Denise White, CEO of EAG Sports Management in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “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.
“Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”
The Lions released a statement to USA TODAY Sports regarding Arnold’s arrest on the night of June 24.
“We are aware of the legal situation regarding Terrion Arnold,” a spokesperson for the team said in the statement. “We will not comment at this time out of respect for the ongoing legal process.”
Advertisement
Terrion Arnold contract
Arnold, a first-round pick by the Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft, is still signed to his rookie contract with Detroit. He was due to enter his third of four seasons under his initial deal, which also includes a fifth-year club option given Arnold’s first-round pick status.
Here are the full details:
-
Term: Four years (plus a fifth-year option)
-
Total value: $14.3 million
-
Average annual value (AAV): $3.59 million
-
Guaranteed money: $14.3 million
Arnold’s rookie deal is for four years – plus a fifth-year club option – and is worth a fully guaranteed $14.3 million. The cornerback would be entering his third season on the deal in 2026, meaning he’d be eligible for a contract extension after this coming season.
The Lions will have until next spring to exercise the fifth-year option on Arnold’s contract, which would keep him under his current deal through the 2028 season.
Advertisement
This story will be updated when new information is available.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Terrion Arnold arrested: Lions CB to face ‘multiple felony charges’