Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was arrested and booked on four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery on Wednesday, and is now facing up to life in prison if convicted.
Arnold, 23, turned himself in to authorities on a warrant at the Orient Road jail in Tampa, Fla., the Detroit Free Press reported.
He remained in custody as of 10:46 p.m.
In a statement released through Arnold’s representative, Arnold “categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence.”
The Lions released a statement that said they are aware of the situation, but will not comment further “out of respect for the ongoing legal process.”
Boakai Hilton allegedly masterminded the robbery and beating of a man who was a driver for Arnold, along with two of the driver’s associates. Arnold believed the driver had set him up to be robbed of more than $250,000 in cash and goods from an Airbnb he was staying at in February.
Records from the Free Press show that Arnold discovered the missing money and items when he was leaving the Airbnb on Feb. 1, but didn’t report the crime until two days later.
The alleged kidnapping and armed robbery just after midnight on Feb 4.
“There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations,” Arnold’s representative, 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.
“Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”
Nevertheless, the state’s attorney’s office said in its own release that Arnold orchestrated “the kidnapping and robbery just hours after reporting the missing items to the Largo Police Department.”
Prosecutors intend to file a pretrial motion in order to keep the Lions’ cornerback in jail until his trial because they feel he ”remains a danger to the community.”
Lyndell Hudson, Christion Williams and Freddie Hughes, three other defendants in the case, are facing life sentences. Hilton is facing three counts of felony robbery, three counts of felony kidnapping and one felony count each of conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Two defendants in the case, Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo, have agreed to plea deals that include both of them agreeing to testify truthfully for the prosecution in any future court cases.
