NFL star Terrion Arnold turns himself in after shocking Florida kidnapping allegations

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has been arrested in connection with a Florida kidnapping and robbery investigation and faces felony charges, authorities said Wednesday.

If convicted on all charges, Arnold could face in life in prison.

Arnold is accused by Tampa police of being the “primary conspirator” in a February incident in which three men in their late teens were allegedly held at gunpoint, assaulted and robbed inside a Tampa-area apartment.

Police said the victims were targeted after Arnold and several associates believed the men were responsible for the theft of more than $250,000 worth of property from an Airbnb in Largo earlier in February. Investigators later determined those men were not responsible, police said.

According to Tampa police, Arnold and others brought the three victims to an apartment on Feb. 4.

Police said two of Arnold’s associates initially held the men at gunpoint and assaulted them while another person recorded the incident and sent the footage to Arnold. Police said Arnold later arrived at the apartment while the assault was ongoing, and other suspects took items belonging to the victims.

The victims later reported the incident to police.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said on X that Arnold faces felony charges, though officials did not immediately specify the charges.

Six other people have already been arrested in connection with the alleged armed robbery, police said.

One of those, Boakai Hilton, is described as Arnold’s “childhood best friend,” reports The Detroit Free-Press.

Hilton faces 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 of the accused, Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo, have already taken plea deals that involve prison time.

The Free-Press report details that Hilton “indicated” to police that he was attending the Super Bowl in San Francisco at the time of the incident.

Arnold’s attorney denied the allegations and said there is no evidence linking him to the crime.

“There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations,” Denise White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, which represents Arnold, said in a statement. She accused prosecutors of relying on statements from people with criminal records who may have an incentive to shift blame.

“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.

Arnold, a Florida native, is a starting cornerback for the Lions and was selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft after playing at the University of Alabama.

The Lions said in a statement Wednesday night that the team was aware of the situation but declined further comment.

Arnold turned himself in to authorities Wednesday. He is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon in Hillsborough County.