Earl Thomas was arrested Friday night in Texas after being spotted at a bar, just days after a judge issued an arrest warrant for the former Professional football star after the defensive back was accused of repeatedly violating a protective order, according to TMZ Sports.
The 33-year-old 7x Pro Bowler was taken into custody by Orange County PD around 8:30 p.m. in Orange County, TX after the agency got a phone call from a bar customer who noticed Thomas in the establishment.
Officers arrived, and Thomas was handcuffed and taken to the Orange County Jail, where he is still being held.
According to online records, no bond has been set.
Thomas allegedly contacted the woman numerous times, he could be charged with a third-degree felony, which carries a ten-year prison sentence if found guilty.
The arrest comes about 2 weeks after a judge issued an arrest warrant for Earl after he reportedly violated a protective order two times in a year by threatening a woman and her children via text messages, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Thomas’ attorney previously told the local Austin paper that his client was merely conversing with his estranged wife about their children, which he claims is allowed under the order.
Earl was issued a protective order in 2021, ordering him to only contact his ex through an approved co-parenting app. However, the NFL star apparently did not only not use the app, but he also sent threatening messages calling for violence.
The arrest comes as Thomas, the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, is attempting to re-enter the league.
