Parole board denies release for ex-NFL player Henry Ruggs

The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners has denied parole to former NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, ruling on the matter on Thursday. The decision comes nearly five years after Ruggs was involved in a fatal car crash in Las Vegas that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog.

Ruggs, a first-round draft pick for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, was driving a sports car at speeds reaching 156 mph on the night of the incident in November 2021. Prosecutors stated that Ruggs had been at TopGolf, a sports entertainment venue, prior to the crash. Within the required two hours following the accident, prosecutors noted his blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.16%.

In May 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced in August 2023 to a prison term of three to 10 years. The parole board’s refusal to grant early release means he will remain incarcerated until his next eligibility window.

Kathi Baker, executive director of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners, confirmed that Ruggs will appear before the board again three months prior to his mandatory release date on 24 August 2027. The specific reasons for the board’s decision to deny parole were not detailed in available reports.

Ruggs’ attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the ruling. The case highlights the intersection of professional sports accountability and state judicial processes, as the board evaluates the conduct of high-profile inmates against public safety standards.