Former NFL defensive back Cameron Sutton has turned himself in to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida, after being wanted for a domestic violence warrant. Sheriff Chad Chronister commended Sutton for making the right choice after evading law enforcement for weeks. The charge against him was domestic battery by strangulation, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The incident involving Sutton and a female took place on March 7, prompting the search for him.
The Detroit Lions, the team Sutton was previously playing for, released him after news of the warrant came to light. Lions President Rod Wood mentioned that they found out about the warrant on social media and were able to speak to Sutton at the team’s training facility in Detroit. Sutton had signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lions just a year prior and had a successful season with the team, helping them win a division title and two playoff games. He had started in all 17 regular season games, recording a career-high 65 tackles and one interception.
Before his time with the Lions, Sutton had played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting in 31 games over two seasons with the team. He had five interceptions and 95 tackles during that time. Sutton, who was drafted by the Steelers in the third round in 2017, had a total of nine interceptions in his 101-game career. Sutton, originally from Jonesboro, Georgia, played college football at the University of Tennessee before being drafted into the NFL. The two teams he played for had different experiences with him, with the Lions releasing him due to the warrant and the Steelers benefiting from his defensive skills.
The sheriff’s department had called for public assistance in locating Sutton before he turned himself in, and they reiterated that domestic violence has no place in the community. Sheriff Chronister expressed his concern for the victim and her healing process after the incident involving Sutton. Domestic violence is taken seriously in Hillsborough County, and both the community and law enforcement agencies expect accountability for violent acts. The resolution of Sutton turning himself in signifies a step towards justice being served and a message that no one is above the law, regardless of their status or profession.
Sutton’s surrender to authorities ends a search that lasted for weeks following the incident in March. The case drew attention from both the football community and the public, with many expressing shock and disappointment over the allegations against Sutton. The timely response from the Sheriff’s Office in investigating the incident and pursuing Sutton demonstrated a commitment to upholding the law and supporting victims of domestic violence. The closure of this case serves as a reminder of the consequences of violent behavior and the importance of taking action to address such issues in a timely and effective manner. Sutton’s surrender and subsequent legal proceedings will provide a sense of closure for all parties involved and contribute to the healing and accountability process in cases of domestic violence.
