Hours after being granted $1 million bail, Terrion Arnold was released by the Detroit Lions on Monday.
Arnold might not be wearing an NFL uniform in the near future while facing charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.
Arnold appeared before a judge in Florida on Monday in handcuffs, a red V-neck shirt emblazoned with the word “INMATE” in white, block capital letters for a scheduled hearing in Hillsborough County (Fla.). Arnold has been held more than four days awaiting the hearing for a judge to determine whether to side with prosecutors pushing for Arnold to be held without bail.
Bail was granted with conditions, some of which might be reconsidered on the grounds they’re no longer applicable should Arnold remain unemployed.
If he posts bail, Arnold is prohibited from contacting any alleged co-conspirators or victims and must surrender his passport. But a judge ruled Arnold doesn’t have to wear a GPS tracking device to permit him to perform his professional duties for the Lions. It is not known whether the Lions releasing Arnold will impact the decision.
The judge did limit travel to attending team functions as part of his employment with the Lions — which was effectively terminated at 4 p.m. ET Monday — and court and legal appointments.
Arnold was taken into custody last week and is accused of being the ringleader of a plot to avenge a theft in February by detaining and pistol-whipping the men he believed were responsible. But authorities said none of the victims Arnold and co-conspirators allegedly kidnapped and attacked were involved with stealing items from Arnold.
The 23-year-old who played at Alabama and was drafted by the Lions was the primary conspirator, according to prosecutors. All three victims are in their teens, according to court documents.
Arnold reported the theft of more than $250,000 in property from an Airbnb in Largo, Fla., near Tampa, three days before the alleged kidnapping and assault occurred.
–Field Level Media
