​A Florida circuit court judge refused Friday to order former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold to wear a GPS tether as his criminal case moves forward, despite prosecutors labeling him a danger to the community. The decision came during a Zoom hearing in Hillsborough Circuit Court, where Florida prosecutors sought to amend Arnold’s previously set bond and impose a GPS monitor after he was released by the Lions in late June.
“We’re arguing to you he’s a danger to the community, a danger to the three victims in this case,” Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Riley told the judge. Arnold’s defense, however, characterized the prosecutors’ push as “sour grapes” following an earlier denial of a similar request, and noted that a monitoring device would make it “extremely difficult” for Arnold to be signed by another team, according to his agent.
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold appeared at Friday’s hearing via Zoom, wearing a dark suit, as the court considered whether he should be placed on a GPS tether while out on bail. Arnold faces criminal charges tied to a February armed robbery and kidnapping plot in Florida. Prosecutors contend he orchestrated a plan to confront several men whom he and others believed had stolen thousands of dollars’ worth of his property.
Nicole Lynn, Arnold’s agent, testified that there are four NFL teams showing interest in Arnold—the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans. She said he had a workout with the Texans on Thursday, with the Texans paying for his flight, and that he had another visit this week and another planned for next week. “I think there is a good likelihood (of Arnold being signed) … but I’m not a fortune teller. I don’t want to say something I can’t guarantee,” Lynn said. “It would be extremely difficult and maybe impossible for him to get a job (with an ankle monitor).”
Arnold has been free on bond while the case proceeds and has expressed hope of joining another NFL team soon. He had previously indicated there could be opportunities as training camps approached near the end of July. Detective arguments aside, Arnold’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, asked Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Rich to postpone the tether decision for 45 days to see if Arnold’s circumstances change, noting he is “fairly confident” he will land with another team as training camps begin.
Prosecutors contended that, given Arnold’s current lack of employment, he should be subject to a GPS tether and that his attorneys should move to have the tether removed only if he secures a contract. Judge Rich, however, denied the request to modify the bond to require a GPS device, stating, “I don’t think that rises to the level of a substantial change that would require a modification in the bond, so I am going to deny the state’s request to modify the bond.”
The pretrial detention hearing last week had already raised the possibility that Arnold would be required to wear a GPS tether when he posted bond, a request prosecutors pressed again at Friday’s hearing. The court’s decision kept Arnold’s bond conditions unchanged, leaving the tether issue unresolved for the time being as the case moves forward.