TAMPA, Fla. — Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was arrested Wednesday on felony charges connected to a kidnapping and robbery that took place in Tampa, Florida, according to officials.
Tampa police identified Arnold as the “primary conspirator” in a February incident in which three men in their late teens were held at gunpoint, physically assaulted, and pistol-whipped. Some of the victims’ belongings were also taken during the attack, police said.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office announced the felony charges on social media, though the exact charges had not been made fully public at the time of the announcement.
Six other individuals suspected of participating in the targeted armed robbery had already been arrested by Tampa police prior to Arnold’s arrest.
Denise White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, the agency that represents Arnold, issued a statement firmly denying his involvement in the incident.
“There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations,” 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.”
According to police, the chain of events began in early February when Arnold and several friends reported that more than $250,000 worth of their property had been stolen from an Airbnb in Largo, Florida. Arnold suspected two late-teenage men were responsible, though investigators later determined that was not the case.
Despite that, Arnold and his associates allegedly lured those two men, along with a third individual, to an apartment on February 4. Police say two of Arnold’s friends initially held the men at gunpoint and physically attacked them, while another person livestreamed the assault to Arnold. Arnold himself later arrived at the apartment while the attack was still underway, police said. His associates then stole some of the victims’ property before the victims reported the incident to law enforcement.
Arnold is a starting cornerback for the Detroit Lions, selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Alabama. He is originally from Florida.
The Lions released a brief statement Wednesday evening saying the organization was aware of the situation but declined to comment further at that time.
Arnold turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday. He is expected to make his first court appearance in Hillsborough County on Thursday afternoon, according to the state attorney’s office.
