Former Raiders first-round pick facing more legal trouble

Former Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette is in the midst of a new legal development. Arnette has been indicted by a Clark County (NV) grand jury on assault with a deadly weapon and firearm-related charges, detailed David Charns of 8 News Now.

The charges stem from the January 2022 incident that led to Arnette’s arrest. In response to that news, not the first such development in the 26-year-old’s case, the Chiefs cut him shortly after signing him to a futures contract. The case against Arnette was initially dropped in July 2022, but the charges he now faces could result in a maximum of 10 years in state prison if he were to be convicted.

The former first-rounder is alleged to have displayed a handgun during an argument with valets at a Las Vegas Strip casino during the night in question. Arnette had previously been seen on video brandishing a gun while threatening a person; that led to his release from the Raiders in 2021. In this latest case, though, the details of his actions are in dispute.

“The district attorney’s office made a non-prosecution decision presumably after reviewing the video corroborating what Damon told the police that he never carried or pointed a gun at anyone,” a statement from Arnette’s attorney, Ross Goodman, read in July. 

Later that month, the Ohio State product was arrested in a separate matter on drug-related charges after being pulled over for driving with a suspended license.

Arnette pleaded not guilty to the felony charges stemming from the casino incident, per an Associated Press report (via ESPN.com). Goodman contends that Arnette never “brandished” nor “pointed” a gun, keeping in line with his previous remarks on the matter. Nevertheless, the re-introduction of charges has put his legal (and, if one exists at this point, NFL) future in question. The case’s next hearing is scheduled for June 7.