Nina Thomas, the estranged wife of former Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors allege that she and her co-defendant, Kevin Thompson, took more than $2.7 million from the seven-time Pro Bowl player without his knowledge.
The case follows years of turmoil in the couple’s relationship. Nina filed for divorce in 2020, after being arrested in an incident in which she reportedly held Earl at gunpoint.
### Plea Deals and Potential Penalties
Under her plea agreement, Nina Thomas faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. She and Thompson are also jointly responsible for $3,497,444.64 in restitution.
Thompson, who was in a romantic relationship with Nina, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The cocaine charge carries a potential sentence of up to 40 years and a fine of up to $5 million.
The plea agreements reduce the potential penalties they initially faced. A superseding indictment issued in December 2024 charged both defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. Thompson also faced charges related to possessing at least 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Both were taken into custody in December 2024.
### How Prosecutors Say the Scheme Worked
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana says the alleged scheme began in September 2021, about a year after Nina filed for divorce. Prosecutors allege that she and Thompson created an email account in Earl’s name, used it to open multiple bank accounts, then transferred money from his legitimate accounts into accounts they controlled.
Prosecutors say the money was used to buy a $28,796 Hermès Birkin bag and a $52,890 Porsche Panamera. They also allege that $5,500 was charged to Earl’s credit card for plastic surgery.
Thompson had previously been accused of targeting Earl’s finances. He was arrested in June 2023 over allegations that he stole Thomas’ identity to cash his NFL checks and gain access to his bank accounts.
### Earl Thomas’ NFL Career
Earl and Nina Thomas married in 2016 at a ceremony attended by quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Ciara. Earl is best known for his nine seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was part of the “Legion of Boom” and won Super Bowl XLVIII. He was also named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
The Ravens signed Thomas to a four-year, $55 million contract in 2019, and he earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection that season. Baltimore released him in August 2020, two days after he punched teammate Chuck Clark during practice. Thomas has not played in the NFL since.
