Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold turned himself in to authorities Wednesday night and was arrested in connection with a February armed robbery and kidnapping incident in Tampa that prosecutors say he helped orchestrate.
Arnold, 23, faces four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery, charges that carry the possibility of life in prison, according to Tampa police and the state attorney’s office. He was taken into custody at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.
The arrest comes after two co-defendants in the case, Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo, entered plea deals Wednesday and agreed to testify against others, including Arnold. Prosecutors plan to file a pretrial motion to keep Arnold detained, arguing he poses a danger to the community.
The incident stems from an alleged retaliation plot following the theft of more than $250,000 in cash, jewelry, designer items and other property from an Airbnb in Largo that Arnold was renting. Arnold and several associates reported the thefts to Largo police on Feb. 3.
According to the Tampa Police Department, Arnold and co-defendant Boakai Hilton Jr. directed Del Valle and Randazzo to lure one of the suspected thieves — Arnold’s personal driver — and two of his associates to an apartment in the 14,000 block of N. 46th Street shortly after midnight on Feb. 4.
Investigators say Lyndell Hudson II and Christion Williams were waiting inside, where they allegedly grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint, pistol-whipped them and interrogated them about the missing property. Del Valle allegedly streamed the assault to Arnold, Hilton and others. A group chat was used to coordinate during the incident, police said.
Arnold, Hilton, Freddie Hughes and another individual later arrived at the apartment. Prosecutors allege Arnold directed others inside while the assault continued, and that additional property was stolen from the victims before they were released about an hour later.
Police previously arrested six others in the case between February and March:
• Boakai Hilton Jr., 23, charged with three counts each of kidnapping and armed robbery.
• Lyndell Hudson II, 26, and Christion Williams, 24, each facing multiple counts including armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
• Freddie Hughes, 27, charged with armed robbery and kidnapping counts.
• Del Valle, 19, and Randazzo, 19, who have now entered pleas.
Investigators determined the three victims were not involved in the original theft from Arnold’s rental.
Arnold has previously denied any involvement. In February, his attorney R. Timothy Jansen stated that Arnold “had no involvement whatsoever” and was not present for any of the alleged conduct.
The Lions issued a brief statement: “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.”
Arnold, a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2024, has been one of the Lions’ top young defensive backs. He practiced sparingly this spring while recovering from shoulder surgery but was expected to compete for a starting role. Coach Dan Campbell had previously expressed support for Arnold amid the earlier developments in the case.
