Ex-Raider, Henry Ruggs III, Has Been Sentenced
In a solemn and somber hearing held today (August 9) at the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas, the once-promising NFL wide receiver, Henry Ruggs III, received a sobering sentence that marked a tragic turning point in his life. The former Raider was handed a prison term ranging from three to ten years, a consequence of his decision to plead guilty to a pair of charges stemming from a devastating 2021 crash that claimed the life of an innocent woman and her beloved dog.
The courtroom, filled with a palpable mix of sorrow and gravity, heard how Ruggs, at the wheel of his Chevrolet Corvette, had recklessly hurtled through the night at speeds reaching a staggering 156 MPH, while under the influence with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. His path tragically intersected with Tina Tintor’s Toyota RAV4, forever altering the lives of both families in an instant. Ruggs’ actions on that fateful November 2 morning culminated in the untimely death of Tintor and her loyal canine companion.
The aftermath of this heart-wrenching incident saw Ruggs released from the Las Vegas Raiders. The former Alabama standout agreed to plead guilty to the grave charges of DUI resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter. In return, other charges that loomed over him were dropped, according to Fox 5 writer, C.C. McCandless.
Amid the courtroom, Henry Ruggs briefly addressed those present. “I sincerely apologize,” he said, his words carrying the weight of his actions. He directed his apologies towards the victim’s grieving family, his own loved ones, and his former teammates. He acknowledged the gravity of the incident and expressed his hope to raise awareness about the perils of driving under the influence and excessive speed.
His legal counsel, in a bid to paint a fuller picture of the defendant, highlighted Ruggs’ year-and-a-half-long stint under house arrest with electronic monitoring, devoid of any transgressions. The attorney characterized Ruggs’ behavior as an anomaly, far removed from the persona of the “kind, shy, extremely bright and thoughtful young man” he had known.
According to Fox 5, Judge Jennifer Schwartz recognized Ruggs’ absence of prior criminal history. She then delivered a verdict that would see Ruggs serving a sentence ranging from 36 to 120 months, alongside a concurrent sentence for the lesser misdemeanor charge.
