Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has a pretrial detention hearing Monday morning in connection with an armed robbery and kidnapping that took place in February in Tampa.
Prosecutors will argue at the 9:30 a.m. hearing that Arnold, 23, should be denied bond and kept in jail pretrial. Arnold is charged with three counts of kidnapping, three counts of armed robbery, one count of conspiracy to kidnap, and one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
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Arnold is accused of “coordinating and directing” the armed robbery and kidnapping of multiple people in alleged retaliation for thefts that occurred at his Largo, Florida, rental home. Arnold allegedly believed the victims had stolen $200,000 of property from the Airbnb he was staying at, though prosecutors said there is no evidence to prove they were involved in the theft.
Six others have been charged in connection with the alleged crime and all six have been denied bond.
Arnold, who was arrested Wednesday and first appeared in court Thursday, has denied any involvement in the incident through his spokesperson and attorney.
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At Thursday’s court appearance, Arnold’s attorney, R. Timothy Jansen, said that Arnold is “absolutely denying these allegations.”
On Wednesday night, Denise White, the CEO of EAG Sports Management, released a statement that read: “Terrion Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence.”
“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,” White said in the statement. “Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”
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In a statement Wednesday night, the Lions said: “We are aware of the legal situation regarding Terrion Arnold. We will not comment at this time out of respect for the ongoing legal process.”
The victims in the case were allegedly “battered, held at gunpoint, and pistol-whipped before their personal property was stolen and they were told to leave,” according to a press release from the city of Tampa.
According to the Hillsborough County state attorney’s office, the investigation into Arnold’s involvement included “cell phone evidence and corroborating testimony provided by co-defendants,” which “helped establish Arnold’s role in planning and directing the crimes.”
Lions defensive back Terrion Arnold makes an appearance in court Thursday.
Boakai Hilton, Lyndell Hudson, Freddie Lee Hughes III, Christion Williams, Jasmine Randazzo and Arianna Del Valle are also charged in connection with the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping. Randazzo and Del Valle already pleaded guilty to their roles in the incident.
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Arnold is accused by prosecutors of being the “primary conspirator” in the case. The city of Tampa said Wednesday that “investigators found Del Valle streamed the incident to Arnold, Hilton and Hughes as they were traveling to the apartment.” It’s also alleged that Arnold gave directions to Del Valle, Williams and Hudson during the assault.
What to expect at Monday’s hearing
The charges Arnold is facing are defined under Florida law as “dangerous crimes” and could be enough to keep Arnold in jail until his trial. Prosecutors have the burden of showing the judge the need for pretrial detention.
During the hearing, which has different evidence rules than a criminal trial, prosecutors can use hearsay statements from other people. Arnold’s attorney is also entitled to present witnesses and evidence, as well as cross-examine witnesses.
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Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge Logan Murphy will have to make a ruling within 24 hours of the pretrial detention hearing, according to Florida law, either in writing or orally in court.
Arnold first linked to case in February
Text messages obtained by The Detroit News in March through an open-records request with the state attorney’s office revealed Arnold’s name was mentioned several times during the planning of the incident. Cell phone records from Del Valle and Randazzo allege Del Valle gave instructions to lure the victims to the location at Arnold’s request.
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Arnold’s name was first attached to the case on Feb. 24 during a pretrial detention hearing for Hilton. Murphy granted the state’s motion against Hilton and said the robbery and kidnapping were the direct result of “Arnold and his friends” deciding to “take matters into their own hands” after the thefts, which included high-end bags, guns, jewelry, a cell phone, and cash.
Hudson and Williams allegedly took the two victims “hostage in the bedroom, interrogating, beating and pistol-whipping them for the better part of an hour,” according to an order from Murphy. The third victim, who was waiting in the car, allegedly entered the apartment out of growing suspicion. It’s alleged that he was pistol-whipped and taken into the bedroom as well.
According to the city of Tampa, the three victims were “escorted out of the apartment by the armed suspects” and “forced into their cars” before the victims were able to flee the scene. The city of Tampa said, “Del Valle, Williams, and another individual entered a vehicle being driven by Arnold and subsequently left the scene.”
Arnold was a first-round pick by the Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had an up-and-down start to his NFL career through two seasons. His 2025 season ended prematurely due to a severe shoulder injury that required surgery. Arnold was a participant at the team’s mandatory minicamp and was spotted during multiple OTA practices in Allen Park this past spring.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Judge to decide if Lions’ Terrion Arnold should remain in jail
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