Detroit Lions star Terrion Arnold appeared for a court hearing on Thursday in an anti-suicide vest after surrendering to police in Florida over allegations he orchestrated a kidnapping and robbery in Tampa.
Arnold, 23, could face life in prison and is facing four counts of robbery firearm and another four counts of kidnapping to harm or terrorize. He denies the charges.
The prison garment, known also as a ‘turtle suit’, that he was seen in on Thursday is made of an especially thick and quilted material that prisoners cannot tear or use to hang or suffocate themselves.
At the hearing, Arnold was told he will find out on Monday if he will remain behind bars until a trial for allegedly orchestrating the kidnapping and robbery back in February.
Three men in their late teens were held at gunpoint, battered, pistol-whipped and robbed in a Tampa apartment on Feb. 4, police said, three days after personal property worth more than $250,000 was reported stolen from Arnold and others at an Airbnb rental in Largo, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of the city.
Arnold, who has a contract worth $14.3million with the Lions, was the ‘primary conspirator’ in the attack, police said in a statement.
The Lions have declined to comment but Denise White, the CEO of EAG Sports Management agency that represents the football player, said Arnold denies the allegations.
‘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.’
At least seven people face charges, including two who pleaded guilty Wednesday and are cooperating, the state attorney’s office said. One was immediately sentenced to four years in prison for kidnapping, conspiracy and robbery with a gun, records show.
The victims told police that Arnold´s friends lured them to an apartment, held them at gunpoint and hit them, all the while streaming the attack to Arnold. Police said Arnold was giving orders in a group chat and later arrived at the apartment.
‘No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. A dispute over missing property does not justify kidnapping, violence or retaliation,’ State Attorney Suzy Lopez said.
Arnold was a first-round pick in the 2024 draft after playing at the University of Alabama.
He had 31 tackles and an interception last season for the Lions. The Lions said they are aware of Arnold’s arrest but declined to comment.
