Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has been arrested in connection with a Florida kidnapping and armed robbery investigation, but his representatives are strongly denying that he had anything to do with the alleged crime.
The Tampa Police Department confirmed Wednesday, June 24, that Arnold, 23, turned himself in and was taken into custody at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.
Police said the NFL player is facing four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery tied to a Feb. 4 incident in Tampa.
According to CBS Sports, the charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.
The victims were three boys in their late teens, Tampa police said.
Authorities said the case began after several personal items were allegedly stolen from an Airbnb in Largo, Florida, where Arnold had been staying with co-defendants and other friends.
Police said Arnold and others reported the property loss to the Largo Police Department on Feb. 3, claiming that more than $250,000 worth of belongings had been stolen.
Investigators said Arnold suspected that two of the three victims were responsible for the theft. Tampa police later said investigators determined the victims were not involved.
Police allege that the situation escalated into a targeted armed robbery.
According to authorities, Arnold and Boakai Hilton Jr. allegedly coordinated with Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to their apartment.
Police said the victims arrived around midnight on Feb. 4. Once they went into a bedroom, investigators allege Christion Williams and Lyndell Hudson II were hiding in a closet.
“When the victims went in the bedroom, they said Williams and Hudson grabbed them, held them at gunpoint and hit them,” Tampa police said.
Police claim Del Valle streamed the incident to Arnold, Hilton and Freddie Hughes while they were on their way to the apartment.
Investigators also said they found a group chat that gave them more information about the alleged assault. According to police, Arnold and Hilton allegedly gave directions to Del Valle, Williams and Hudson during the attack.
About an hour later, police said Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another person arrived at the apartment.
“It was reported that Arnold directed them to go inside the residence,” police said.
Authorities allege that while the assault was still happening, Hughes, Hudson and Williams stole personal property from the victims.
Police said that around 1:40 a.m., all three victims were escorted out of the apartment by armed suspects and forced into their vehicle. The victims then left the scene.
Del Valle, Williams and another person allegedly got into a vehicle driven by Arnold and left, police said.
According to Tampa police, the victims had visible injuries after allegedly being battered, held at gunpoint and pistol-whipped before their belongings were stolen.
Six other people had already been arrested in connection with the case between Feb. 4 and March 21, police said. They were identified as Del Valle, 19; Randazzo, 19; Hudson, 26; Williams, 24; Hilton, 23; and Hughes, 27.
The group is facing a range of charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery.
“Investigators believe, based on evidence gathered, that Arnold was the primary conspirator,” Tampa police said in the release.
Arnold’s team, however, is pushing back hard.
Denise White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, denied “any involvement” by Arnold and said he maintains his innocence.
“There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations,” White said in a statement to People.
She claimed authorities were 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 added, “Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”
Arnold’s attorney, R. Timothy Jansen, also denied the allegations in a statement to the Detroit Free Press.
“Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests,” Jansen said. “He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.”
Jansen also said that after speaking directly with the lead prosecutor, “it has been confirmed that no charges have been filed against Mr. Arnold in connection with this matter.”
A spokesperson for the Detroit Lions told People, “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 NFL also said it is aware of the matter and has been in contact with the club.
Arnold played college football at Alabama before the Lions selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 24 overall pick.
He has played 24 games over two NFL seasons. During the 2025 season, he appeared in eight games while dealing with a concussion and two shoulder injuries, the second of which led to season-ending surgery.
The case now puts one of Detroit’s young defensive players at the center of a serious Florida investigation, while his legal team insists he has been wrongly tied to the alleged robbery.