Terrion Arnold granted bond, will not have to stay in jail before trial for alleged kidnapping

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was granted bond Monday after a hearing with a judge. The decision comes after prosecutors sought to have Arnold remain in jail until a trial.

While prosecutors were able to establish “probable cause” in their argument, the judge ruled there was not enough evidence to justify keeping Arnold in jail at this time.

Arnold was arrested last Wednesday and had his arraignment on Thursday, during which the judge ruled for him to be held without bond until Monday’s hearing.

What is Terrion Arnold accused of doing?

Arnold is accused of orchestrating an abduction and interrogation of three men, identified as his personal driver and two of the driver’s associates, who were accused of stealing more than $200,000 in personal property belonging to the defendants from an Airbnb.

Police claim that members of Arnold’s group ambushed the alleged victims at an apartment and spent the better part of an hour beating them at gunpoint, with one of the defendants live-streaming the proceedings to Arnold while he was en route to the apartment. The alleged victims were eventually released in the early morning, minus some personal property allegedly taken by the accused.

The full list of charges Arnold faces is three counts of armed robbery, three counts of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The kidnapping charges are felonies that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Tampa police have accused Arnold of being “the primary conspirator” among a group of six other defendants: Hilton, Lyndell Hudson, Freddie Lee Hughes III, Christion Williams, Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo. The latter two women have reportedly cut a plea deal that will require them to testify in any future proceedings related to the case.

Randazzo has already been sentenced to four years in Florida state prison followed by six years of probation. Del Valle, who was identified by a judge as Arnold’s girlfriend in February, entered an open plea and will be sentenced at a later date.

What has Terrion Arnold said about the allegations?

Arnold’s representatives have strongly denied the allegations going back to February, when a judge first mentioned his alleged involvement at a hearing involving his now-co-defendants. His attorney released a statement claiming “there is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.”

Those denials continued following Arnold’s arrest last Wednesday, which saw authorities allude to text messages and testimonies linking him to the incident. His representative’s statement at the time:

“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.

“Mr. Arnold looks forward to his day in court and is confident that the judicial process will lead to his ultimate vindication.”

At Arnold’s arraignment, his attorney, R. Timothy Jansen, told the judge his client is “absolutely denying these allegations.”

What have the Lions said about Terrion Arnold’s arrest?

The Lions have mostly stayed out of it, though head coach Dan Campbell did say in March, “It seems like [Arnold] still wasn’t involved with this.”

Following Arnold’s arrest, the team released a statement acknowledging the “legal situation regarding Terrion Arnold” and declined further comment “out of respect for the ongoing legal process.”

Arnold has played two seasons in the NFL since being selected in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Tallahassee native and Alabama product has recorded 91 total tackles, 18 passes defended and 1 interception in 24 career games, but missed the end of last season due to shoulder surgery.

This story will be updated.