Report: Giants tell Baker to stay away from team meetings
The New York Giants have told cornerback DeAndre Baker to stay away from virtual team meetings for the time being and instead focus on his current legal issues, a source told ESPN's Jordan Raanan.
The Giants' 2019 first-round pick is facing four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm stemming from an incident that took place Wednesday. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar was also involved and faces four counts of armed robbery with a firearm.
Baker turned himself in to the Miramar Police Department in Florida on Saturday. Dunbar did the same afterward.
Upon his release on Sunday, Baker was ordered to surrender his carry permit and firearm. Additional details of the incident emerged during the court appearance, including that the alleged robbery occurred during an illegal dice gambling game.
According to the arrest warrant, the two players are accused of stealing money and watches while holding firearms. Per the arrest warrant affidavit, multiple witnesses alleged that Baker ordered another suspect wearing a red mask to shoot an individual who entered during the incident.
No shots were fired, and prosecutors have yet to identify the man in the red mask.
On Friday, Baker's and Dunbar's lawyers both said they have witness testimony that exonerates the players of armed robbery.
Baker's lawyer, Patrick G. Patel, confirmed his client's release Sunday.
"We sincerely thank all law enforcement for their diligent efforts to uncover the truth herein and sincerely apologize for the distractions that this event has caused to DeAndre's team, teammates, and the NFL community during this difficult time in everyone's life," he said in a statement, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith.
Prior to Wednesday's incident, the 22-year-old had been expected to earn a starting spot in the Giants' secondary under new head coach Joe Judge.