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DeAndre Baker is a free man and a free agent. The State Attorney’s Office in Florida dropped all charges against the former Giants cornerback, who was facing four counts of robbery with a firearm
DeAndre Baker is a free man and a free agent.
The State Attorney’s Office in Florida dropped all charges against the former Giants cornerback, who was facing four counts of robbery with a firearm stemming from a party in May. Baker, 23, was facing a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted.
The charges were dropped just hours after the Broward County Sheriff’s Office arrested attorney William Dean on charges of extortion related to soliciting a cash payout for three of the four alleged witnesses in exchange for altered testimony, as first reported by The Post. The three men recanted allegations against Baker last week but no money exchanged hands, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Baker and co-defendant Seattle Seahawks safety Quinton Dunbar — whose charges previously were dropped — were alleged to have stolen more than $70,000 worth of cash and watches at a party that involved gambling.
“Subsequently the alleged victims and the known witnesses have become uncooperative and their credibility is inalterably tarnished,” Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Valcore said in a statement.
What changed? They provided sworn testimony 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,” according to Valcore.
Baker, a 2019 first-round draft choice, was cut by the Giants in September with three years remaining on his contract. He was not part of the team’s virtual spring meetings or summer training camp after his arrest.
Baker is free to sign with any NFL team and could be back in the league before season’s end. He still could be subject to discipline under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, though Dunbar has played in six games this season without penalty.
The Giants have used a revolving door at one cornerback position since Baker was cut, starting the since-released Corey Ballentine, the injured Ryan Lewis and Isaac Yiadom opposite shutdown defender James Bradberry.
It is not expected that the Giants will bring back Baker despite the change in his circumstances. There were questions about his work ethic and commitment throughout his rookie season.
