Update 11/16/2020 2:16pm:
The Broward State Attorney's Office dropped all charges against former New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker after the attorney representing three of the four men who accused Baker of robbing them was arrested for an alleged extortion attempt.
"On Monday morning, November 16, 2020, William Dean, an attorney representing three of the alleged victims, was arrested for extortion related to soliciting a cash payout on behalf of the three men in exchange for altered testimony," the Broward State Attorney’s Office said in a statement. "This testimony was provided in the form of written, signed, notarized but identical in content affidavits in which the alleged victims recanted their three previous sworn statements and instead asserted that they did not get an accurate look at the events as they occurred, that Deandre Baker was present but not involved in any criminal act and that they were not robbed or assaulted."
According to reports, William Dean and his clients demanded $1.5 million from Baker to change their statement against him. While Baker negotiated the number down to $800,000, no money was ever exchanged. The three clients, Julius Lamar, Tommy Hartshaw and Steven Compton, recanted their statements against Baker last week.
In an unrelated development in July, authorities found evidence that suggested Baker's former co-defendant, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, used witness Dominic Johnson to facilitate payments between the suspects and the victims. Michael Grieco, Dunbar's first lawyer in the case, denied the allegations.
If convicted, Baker could have faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in state prison. He's currently a free agent after the Giants released him in September and could still be subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Quinton Dunbar has played six games this season without penalty.
Source: ESPN
Original 08/09/2020 11:06am:
Update 08/09/2020 10:44am:
NFL players DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar faced some issues after being charged with armed robbery for an incident at a cookout in Florida. Both players reportedly turned themselves into authorities and were released on bond. Now, news surfaced that Dunbar’s robbery charges were dropped by the state of Florida. However, Baker’s fate is in the air right now.
Defense lawyer Andrew Rier revealed the Broward State Attorney’s Office dropped armed robbery charges against Dunbar, saying, “We’re absolutely delighted that the Broward State Attorney’s Office came to the same conclusion we did: that Quinton Dunbar should never have been arrested. We wish Mr. Dunbar the best of luck.” The State Attorney’s office noted Dunbar was not charged due to “insufficient evidence.”
DeAndre Baker is in a completely different space, as prosecutors are looking to move forward with charges against the New York Giants cornerback. Baker is reportedly being charged with four counts of robbery with a firearm. The lawyer for Baker—Bradford Cohen said the charges are “disgusting.” Along with that, he said, “To charge a young man based on admitted liars testimony is why we need a change in Broward from the old guard.” Stay tuned for more news on this situation.
source: CBS Sports
Original 05/17/2020 5:20pm:
Reports surfaced noting that both DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar were both out of jail on bond after being arrested for an alleged armed robbery.
Previously, it was noted that DeAndre Baker surrendered himself to authorities, and news arrived that Dunbar surrendered himself to police as well. Dunbar’s layer Michael Grieco spoke on the matter, saying, “Today our client [Quinton] Dunbar voluntarily surrendered at the Broward County jail pursuant to a bogus arrest warrant based solely on uncorroborated witness statements that have since been recanted. As I write this, an innocent man sits in jail, facing charges that hold no water."
Since then, both NFL players posted bond and were released after they appeared in front of a judge for a hearing via Zoom. Baker posted a bond of $200,000 while Dunbar posted a $100,000 bond.
source: TMZ
Original 05/14/2020 9:58pm:
According to multiple reports, the New York Giants' cornerback DeAndre Baker and the Seattle Seahawks Quinton Dunbar have been charged with armed robbery after an incident at a cookout in Florida. To be more specific, Baker was charged with armed robbery and 4 charges of aggravated assault with a firearm while Dunbar faces four counts of armed robbery.
Authorities say that an intense argument broke out after a night of gambling leading to Baker and Dunbar pulling out their firearms. Police say the two pro-footballers proceeded to rob the men in attendance at the cookout. A third man named "Shy" was directed by Baker to shoot another man but fortunately, no one was shot during the ordeal.
Baker and Dunbar made off with $7,000 in cash in addition to several valuable watches including an $18,000 Rolex watch, a $25,000 Hublot, and an Audemars Piguet. Police believe the robbery was planned because of how the three assailants' getaway cars were positioned to "expedite an immediate departure." While neither player is in police custody, the arrest warrants for both have been issued by the Miramar Police Department.
The Giants said in a statement, "We are aware of the situation. We have been in contact with Deandre. We have no further comment at this time." The Seahawks have yet to comment.
DeAndre Baker was the 30th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft for the Giants. Quinton Dunbar was undrafted out of Florida and played for Washington Redskins from 2015-2019 before being traded to the Seahawks in March.
Source: tmz.com
