Terrion Arnold's Seattle Seahawks debut does not appear any closer, especially as another codefendant pleaded guilty and will testify against the former Detroit Lions cornerback who was arrested in June on eight charges of kidnapping and armed robbery.
Prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, say Arnold and his alleged co-conspirators lured men who they believed stole cash and property belonging to Arnold while he rented a home in Florida earlier this year. The retaliation allegedly came when Arnold and others lured the presumed perpetrators to another home, "coordinating and directing … codefendants to lure three men to an apartment where the victims were robbed, beaten, and held at gunpoint," a press release said.
One of the codefendants, Boakai Hilton,
pleaded guilty in court Monday, Oct. 5, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to a statement from the Florida state attorney's office in Hillsborough County. Hilton is required to testify against Arnold as part of his plea agreement.
"Hilton’s guilty plea marks another resolution in this case. Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo have also pleaded guilty to their roles, while our office continues moving forward with the remaining defendants," the statement said.
Terrion Arnold kidnapping allegations
Tampa Police Detective Scott Barnett testified at Arnold's pre-trial hearing June 29 that the Lions' cornerback was named by witnesses as taking part in the plot to lure the victims to the apartment.
Del Valle sent a text to Randazzo saying that Arnold wanted Randazzo to ask one of the victims what he was doing later. Barnett read out the text message exchange while on the witness stand.
"That's what Terrion said," one of Del Valle's texts said.
Arnold voluntarily turned himself into authorities on June 24 after facing an arrest warrant and posted a $1 million bond. He faces eight charges in total: three counts of kidnapping, three counts of armed robbery, one count of conspiracy to kidnap and one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery in the wake of an alleged incident that took place in February. He could face life in prison if convicted.
Arnold, who has maintained his innocence in statements from his lawyers, was released by the Lions on June 29 and signed by the Seattle Seahawks Aug. 13. He was placed on the NFL commissioner's exempt list, meaning he can be paid without participating in practice or playing in games, two weeks later.
"Terrion Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence," said Denise White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports on June 24. "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."
Contributing: Jack McKessy, USA TODAY Sports and Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Codefendant of NFL player charged with kidnapping pleads guilty, will testify
