Former Georgia and New York Giants defensive back Deandre Baker, who was accused of four counts of robbery with a firearm, has had his charges dropped this Monday.
This comes after news of the attorney representing three of the four men who were allegedly robbed by Baker, William Dean, being arrested on extortion charges.
Investigators arrested Dean after learning of his attempt to extort Baker for $800,000 in return for softening the accusers allegations, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.
The attorney for three of the four men former Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker allegedly robbed was arrested Monday morning in conjunction with an alleged extortion attempt.
Dean and his clients demanded $1.5 million from Baker and negotiated the number down to $800,000 in order to change their statements, but no money ever changed hands, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Post. The Sheriff’s Office declined further comment during an ongoing investigation, but the source says they were involved in the set-up from the beginning.
The Broward State Attorney’s Office announced that it will be dropping all charges against Baker, following Dean’s arrest on Monday.
All charges against former Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker are being dropped, according to a statement from the Broward State Attorney’s Office just sent to @northjersey.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 16, 2020
Baker was facing a minimum of 10 years in prison if he was convicted on his charges as the state of Florida carries a strict “10-20-Life” law that requires courts to impose a minimum sentence of 10 years, 20 years, or 25 years to life for certain felony convictions involving the use or attempted use of a firearm or destructive device.
“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. 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,” the state released in a statement.
“Therefore, the State of Florida will announce a nolle prosequi of all charges against Deandre L. Baker.”
Spoke with Bradford Cohen, lawyer for ex-#Giants CB Deandre Baker: "I’ve been saying this from Day 1, that this was an extortion scheme and that Deandre was the victim. This event did not play out as they insinuated. And the case was dismissed."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 16, 2020
Baker was released by the New York Giants in September following the incident and will still face NFL discipline due to the personal conduct policy. He will remain a free agent until further notice from the league and how they will handle the situation.
Baker will not be returning to the Giants.
The latest (and final?) twist.
(And no, he’s not coming back to the Giants) https://t.co/NzX1jhV7fn
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 16, 2020
This is great news for the 23-year-old Baker and all of his lifelong supporters. Baker now will begin the process of attempting to earn the trust of an NFL franchise to take a second chance on him.