How Long Is Henry Ruggs in Jail For? A Deep Dive into the NFL Star’s Sentence

Published: April 30, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Staff

In the early hours of November 2, 2021, a fiery crash on a Las Vegas street changed lives forever. Henry Ruggs III, a rising NFL star with the Las Vegas Raiders, was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette, speeding at 156 mph with a blood alcohol level twice Nevada’s legal limit. The collision killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog, Max, leaving a grieving family and a city in shock. Now, as Ruggs serves time in a Nevada prison, one question dominates public curiosity: How long is Henry Ruggs in jail for? This investigative report unravels the details of Ruggs’ 3-to-10-year sentence, his path to parole, his current life behind bars, and the broader questions about justice and redemption raised by his case.

The Crash That Shattered Lives

It was 3:39 a.m. when Ruggs’ Corvette slammed into Tintor’s Toyota RAV4 on a residential road in Spring Valley, just outside Las Vegas. According to police reports, Ruggs was traveling at 156 mph seconds before impact, slowing to 127 mph at the moment of collision. The force propelled Tintor’s vehicle 571 feet, engulfing it in flames. The Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled that Tintor died from “thermal injuries,” with contributing factors including smoke inhalation, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. Her dog, Max, perished alongside her.

Ruggs, then 22, and his girlfriend, Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, were injured but survived. A blood test conducted two hours later revealed Ruggs’ blood alcohol level at 0.161%, double Nevada’s legal limit of 0.08%. Investigators later uncovered a Topgolf receipt showing Ruggs’ group consumed 20 drinks that night, painting a picture of reckless excess. The Raiders released Ruggs hours after the crash, ending his promising career as a first-round draft pick. But for Tintor’s family, the loss was immeasurable. “Tina was the anchor of our family,” her cousin Daniel Strbac said in court, reading a statement from Tintor’s mother. “Her perspective made everyone around her better.”

The Charges and Plea Deal

Initially, Ruggs faced a slew of charges that could have led to over 50 years in prison: two counts of DUI resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving, and a misdemeanor for possessing a firearm while intoxicated. But the case took a turn due to a procedural misstep. Ruggs’ defense team, led by attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, argued that the blood test was improperly obtained, as police failed to specify the reason for the warrant. Fearing the evidence could be suppressed, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson opted for a plea deal.

On May 10, 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to one felony count of DUI resulting in death and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter. The agreement dropped the additional charges, securing a sentence of 3 to 10 years in state prison, with the misdemeanor’s six-month term served concurrently. “This outcome accomplished our goals: convict Ruggs of the strictest charge, send him to prison, and eliminate his ability to appeal,” Wolfson said after the plea. For those asking, “How long is Henry Ruggs in jail for?” the answer lies in this range—3 to 10 years, with parole eligibility after three years.

Life Behind Bars: Where Is Ruggs Now?

As of April 2025, Henry Ruggs is incarcerated at Casa Grande Transitional Housing, a 400-bed, dormitory-style facility in Las Vegas for non-violent offenders nearing parole eligibility. He was transferred there in late 2024 from Stewart Conservation Camp in Carson City, where he worked as a community trustee at the Nevada Governor’s Mansion, earning $2.50 per hour. According to the Nevada Department of Corrections, Ruggs began his sentence at High Desert State Prison in August 2023 before moving to less restrictive facilities, reflecting his minimum-custody status.

At Casa Grande, located just a mile from Allegiant Stadium where Ruggs once played, he’s among inmates preparing for reentry. The facility houses low-risk offenders within 18 months of parole eligibility, offering work programs that can earn credits to reduce sentences. Ruggs’ earliest parole date is August 5, 2026, though mandatory parole consideration is set for July 4, 2027, unless deemed a public safety risk. For those wondering, “How long is Henry Ruggs in jail for?” his actual time served will depend on parole board decisions and his behavior in prison.

Work and Redemption: Ruggs’ Prison Routine

Ruggs’ role as a community trustee has drawn attention. At Stewart Conservation Camp, he performed tasks at the Governor’s Mansion, a privilege reserved for low-risk inmates. “It’s not glamourous work,” a Nevada Department of Corrections spokesperson told 8 News Now in January 2024. “Trustees handle maintenance or clerical duties and return to camp at night.” Ruggs’ $2.50 hourly wage underscores the stark contrast to his $16.7 million NFL contract, of which he earned $11 million before his release.

In court, Ruggs expressed remorse, pledging to educate others about the dangers of drunk driving. “My actions are not a true reflection of me,” he told Judge Jennifer Schwartz at his sentencing on August 9, 2023. His attorneys submitted letters from high school teachers, Alabama coach Mike Locksley, and even a state representative, attesting to his character. Yet, for Tintor’s family, these words ring hollow. “No sentence will bring Tina and Max back,” their statement read, urging others to learn from the tragedy.

Parole and the Road Ahead

The question of “How long is Henry Ruggs in jail for?” hinges on parole. Nevada’s parole system allows inmates with sentences of three years or more to be considered after serving the minimum term, unless they pose a danger. Ruggs, now 26, will be eligible in August 2026, at age 27. If granted parole, he could serve just three years; if denied, he faces up to 10 years, with mandatory consideration in 2027. Work credits earned through programs like the Governor’s Mansion job could shave time off his maximum sentence, but not the minimum three years.

What happens after release? Posts on X in early 2025 speculated about an NFL comeback, with some users debating whether teams would take a chance on Ruggs given his athletic talent and youth. “He’ll be 27, still in his prime,” one user wrote, while another countered, “No team will touch him after this.” The NFL’s stance remains unclear, but historical cases—like Michael Vick’s return after a dogfighting conviction—suggest a slim possibility, though public backlash would be fierce.

Public Reaction and Controversy

Ruggs’ sentence sparked polarized reactions. On Reddit’s r/raiders community, users called the 3-to-10-year term “disgusting” and a “slap on the wrist,” arguing it undervalued Tintor’s life. “He was driving 120 mph on city streets,” one commenter fumed. “This should’ve been a decade minimum.” Others acknowledged the plea deal’s necessity due to the blood test issue but felt the system failed. Tintor’s family, while devastated, took a more measured tone, praying Ruggs’ daughter grows into “an amazing woman” and hoping the case inspires change.

Advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also weighed in. Lindsey Valdez of MADD, present at the sentencing, called it “a heavy day” for Tintor’s family, noting that criminal resolution doesn’t heal their loss. In 2023, MADD and Las Vegas police pushed for stricter DUI penalties in Nevada, but the legislature rejected the bills, leaving some to question whether justice was served.

The Bigger Picture: DUI and Accountability

Ruggs’ case raises tough questions about accountability, privilege, and systemic flaws. Why did a procedural error nearly derail the case? Could stricter laws have deterred such a tragedy? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving claimed 10,511 lives in the U.S. in 2021, the year of Tintor’s death. Nevada’s DUI laws, while tough—mandating two years minimum for DUI resulting in death—rely on airtight evidence, which Ruggs’ defense nearly upended.

For those asking, “How long is Henry Ruggs in jail for?” the 3-to-10-year range reflects a compromise between justice and legal realities. Tintor’s family, Serbian immigrants who fled war, described her as a beacon of hope who worked at Target and aspired to be a computer programmer. Her death, and Ruggs’ sentence, remind us that every choice carries weight. As Ruggs himself said in court, he hopes to “raise awareness of the dangers of driving impaired and at excessive speed.” Whether he can fulfill that vow remains to be seen.

Lessons from a Tragedy

Tintor’s family urged the public to “look out for one another, remembering everyone you meet is another human’s loved one.” Their grace amid grief stands in stark contrast to the recklessness that led to the crash. For readers wondering, “How long is Henry Ruggs in jail for?” the answer—3 to 10 years, with parole possible in 2026—only tells part of the story. The real cost is measured in a life lost, a family broken, and a young man whose future hangs in the balance.

At US Prison Guide, we’re committed to providing clarity on cases like Ruggs’. If you have tips or questions, contact us at [email protected]. Stay informed, and let’s work toward a world where such tragedies are prevented.