(Tampa) Cameron Sutton has surrendered to authorities, ending a weeks-long manhunt that began following the issuance of an arrest warrant for the former defensive back from the NFL due to domestic violence accusations.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Sutton, 29, showed up at a Tampa, Fla., penitentiary on Sunday evening, nearly a week after his attorney informed authorities that the former star player of the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers was going to surrender.
“After weeks of evading authorities, this man finally made the right decision to turn himself in,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. There is no place in our community for domestic violence, and no one escapes the law here in Hillsborough County. My thoughts are with the victim as she attempts to recover from the horrific actions of this man. »
Sutton was wanted for domestic violence after strangling his victim, actions which could cost him up to five years behind bars.
The county Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for a domestic violence story in progress involving Sutton and a woman around 5 a.m. March 7. The Sheriff’s Office then asked for the public’s help in finding Sutton almost two weeks ago.
Shortly after the incident, Lions president Rod Wood said Sutton was at the team’s practice facility in suburban Detroit.
“We found out about the warrant for his arrest at the same time as everyone else, on social media,” Wood told WJBK-TV Fox 2 last Monday. We were able to chat with Cam because he was inside our facility. We found him. He was with our fitness coach. He showed up unannounced to practice. »
The Lions released Sutton on March 21, following the issuance of the arrest warrant.
The Lions signed Sutton to a three-year, $33 million contract a little over a year ago.
Last season, Sutton set a career high with 61 tackles.
He also had an interception, his ninth overall.