In a surprising turn of events, former Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Bates was arrested early on January 26, 2019, at a hotel near LaGuardia Airport in New York City. The arrest stemmed from allegations that Bates had refused to pay a $32 cab fare for a ride from Manhattan. When authorities attempted to detain him, Bates reportedly resisted, leading to a physical altercation with a New York City police sergeant. The sergeant suffered a concussion and required stitches over his left eye.
Background on Trevor Bates
Trevor Bates, 25 at the time of the incident, was a linebacker for the Detroit Lions. He had previously played for the Indianapolis Colts and had stints on the practice squads of the New England Patriots and New York Giants. Bates was drafted in 2016 by the Colts and joined the Lions in 2018, appearing in nine games during his tenure with the team.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on January 26, 2019, at a hotel near LaGuardia Airport. Bates was accused of refusing to pay a $32 cab fare for a ride from Manhattan. When police arrived to address the situation, Bates allegedly resisted arrest and punched Sergeant James O’Brien in the face. The sergeant suffered a concussion and required three stitches over his left eye. Bates was subdued with a stun gun and taken to a hospital.
Legal Proceedings
Following the arrest, Bates was arraigned on charges of assault, resisting arrest, theft of services, and obstruction of governmental administration. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Bates’ lawyer, Eric Breslin, expressed a desire to resolve the matter expeditiously and satisfactorily. Bates was hospitalized following the incident and was arraigned via a video hookup from a psychiatric ward. His bail was set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond, with his next hearing scheduled for March 8, 2019. If convicted, Bates faced up to seven years in prison.
Reactions and Statements
Bates’ agent, Jeff Jankovich, issued a statement expressing that the alleged actions were not reflective of Bates’ character. The statement emphasized the importance of ensuring that Bates receives the necessary help and that the privacy of the parties involved be respected.
Conclusion
The arrest of Trevor Bates at LaGuardia Airport brought attention to the challenges faced by professional athletes off the field. The incident underscored the importance of addressing personal issues and the potential consequences of actions that deviate from expected conduct. As the legal proceedings unfolded, the case highlighted the complexities involved in balancing personal behavior with public expectations for professional athletes.