By Kory Woods, Tribune News Service
On Monday, a Hillsborough County judge found probable cause in the case but allowed Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, 23, to post bond.
Arnold is facing eight felony charges—four for kidnapping and four for armed robbery, including conspiracy charges—all connected to a February incident in Tampa. If convicted, he could spend life in prison. Tampa police have named Arnold as the main conspirator, according to the state attorney’s office.
“Mr. Arnold, because you’ve been arrested on six dangerous crimes under section 907.0415A, first-degree felonies categorized as dangerous crimes and punishable by life in prison, you are going to be held at no bond on those charges until we can have a hearing on the state’s motion for pre-trial detention,” Judge J. Logan Murphy announced at Thursday’s arraignment.
On Monday, Chief Judge Christopher C. Sabella denied the state’s request to keep Arnold in jail before his trial. Instead, he set Arnold’s total bond at $1 million, assigning $150,000 for each kidnapping charge and $100,000 for each robbery charge.
Judge Sabella said Arnold never went into the apartment where the alleged assault took place. He also noted that nothing on Arnold’s phone or social media directly connects him to the violence. Sabella added that the case depends on co-defendants who are facing life sentences, and he cannot personally assess their credibility.
Sabella also rejected the prosecution’s request for a GPS ankle monitor, reasoning it would prevent Arnold from playing in the NFL, and noted that Arnold’s public profile serves as its own form of monitoring.
“If he shows up on a beach in Tahiti, he’ll be on social media,” Sabella said. “If he violates the conditions of his bond, he will be found because they will find you.”
Conditions of Arnold’s bond include no contact with witnesses or co-defendants, surrender of his passport within 48 hours, and confinement to his residence except for Lions-related activities, legal appointments, and court appearances.
Arnold is accused of planning the kidnapping and questioning of three men suspected of stealing more than $250,000 in personal property from six people, including himself. One of the alleged victims was Arnold’s driver, Yan Lopez. The other two were Lopez’s associates, Danny Tanisaka and Solja Anderson.
On Monday, Tampa Police Detective Scott Barnett testified that Arnold first identified Lopez and Tanisaka as suspects in the theft. Barnett said Arnold suggested bringing them to a location for questioning and told co-defendant Arianna Del Valle to ask Jasmine Randazzo to set up the meeting. Barnett also said Randazzo told investigators she heard Arnold’s voice on FaceTime, giving her instructions on how to lure Tanisaka to the apartment.
Text messages presented as evidence showed Del Valle telling Randazzo, “don’t be suspicious though,” as they coordinated the plan. At one point, Randazzo replied, “That’s pretty obvious, this is a setup.”
Police say that after entering the apartment, Lopez and the two others were attacked and held at gunpoint. Testimony showed the victims were beaten, pistol-whipped, and one had a gun put in his mouth for nearly an hour. Investigators found the incident was streamed on FaceTime to people who were not present, and a group chat was used to give instructions during the assault. Arnold arrived later as the three men were being forced out by the armed suspects.
On Monday, the prosecutor argued that Arnold planned the entire scheme, even though co-defendant Boakai Hilton was responsible for the violence inside the apartment.
“It doesn’t get off the ground without him at all,” the prosecutor said.
Defense attorney Harvey Steinberg disagreed, saying there is no evidence that Arnold directed or knew about any violence. He noted that no texts from Arnold’s phone were shown as evidence, Arnold never entered the apartment, and no witness heard Arnold tell anyone to harm the victims.
“At most, if you believe what they’ve shown, all they can prove is that Mr. Arnold was suspicious, and the evidence suggests he had a reason to be and wanted to confront them,” Steinberg said. “That’s it.”
Arnold’s publicist, Denise White of EAG Sports Management, released a statement denying his involvement after he turned himself in to police last Wednesday.
“Terrion Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence,” White wrote. “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.”
The Lions released a statement following Arnold’s arrest last Wednesday.
“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 was not the only one charged. Six others—Arianna Del Valle, Jasmine Randazzo, Lyndell Hudson, Christion Williams, Boakai Hilton, and Freddie Lee Hughes III—have also been detained and charged in connection with the incident. Hilton faces three counts of felony robbery, three counts of felony kidnapping, and one count each of conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Hudson, Williams, and Hughes also face life sentences on similar charges. Del Valle and Randazzo accepted plea deals on Wednesday.
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