Hillsborough County (Florida) Judge Christopher Sabella found probable cause for Terrion Arnold to face felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping but denied prosecutors' motion for the Detroit Lions cornerback to be held without bond Monday.
Arnold's bond was set for $1 million with the following conditions:
The state asked the judge to require Arnold to wear a GPS tracking device, but his attorneys argued that he would not be able to play football with such a device.
Judge Sabella said that Arnold will instead have a "paparazzi monitor."
"If he is late for practice, ESPN will let us know," Sabella said Monday. "If he violates the conditions of his bond, he will be found."
Sabella said that although the charges are serious -- four counts each of kidnapping and assault that could bring a life sentence if Arnold is convicted -- prosecutors are "not there yet" in having a strong case for Arnold's guilt.
Arnold, 23, has been in custody since last Wednesday night, when he turned himself in. Authorities accuse him of orchestrating the abduction and beating of three men who prosecutors believe he wrongly suspected of having stolen luxury goods and $100,000 in cash from him.
According to prosecutors, the victims were abducted three days after cash and luxury items, including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags, were reported stolen from Arnold at an Airbnb rental in the Tampa area. Prosecutors allege that six of Arnold's associates actually carried out the crimes, holding, beating and pistol-whipping the victims, and that Arnold wasn't there at the time.
None of Arnold's co-defendants had bond set for them. Two female co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with authorities. Their statements tie Arnold, who was not at the apartment, to the crimes, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors argue that Arnold is as responsible for the crimes as his co-defendants because he told his associates that he thought he knew who had stolen from him and said he wanted to confront them, setting events in motion.
"Our office remains committed to seeking justice for the three victims in the case who were beaten, robbed, and held against their will," said Erin Maloney, a spokesperson for the state attorney's office.
But Harvey Steinberg, an attorney for Arnold, argued in court Monday that prosecutors are "not even close" to showing that Arnold that he knew or directed what his associates would do.
Denise White, the CEO of EAG Sports Management, which represents Arnold, said the judge's ruling "confirms that there is very little evidence to even suggest any criminal involvement by Mr. Arnold."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
