Former NBA star Tony Allen was arrested on drug charges in Arkansas — but new body cam footage reportedly shows the driver William Hatton taking full responsibility for the cocaine and meth found in the car.
Former Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen is speaking out after being arrested in Arkansas for drug possession — but new body cam footage obtained by TMZ paints a clearer picture of what really happened.
According to reports from WMC Action News 5 and The Dunk Central, Allen was pulled over with another man, identified as Hatton, earlier this week. Deputies said they found a package of marijuana on Allen and additional drug paraphernalia in the car that Hatton admitted belonged to him.
Sheriff Kevin Molder confirmed that a cigarette box with a white powdery substance, later testing positive for cocaine, was discovered in the passenger seat area. However, in the newly surfaced body cam footage, the situation appears to shift — Hatton can be heard telling police that Tony Allen didn’t know anything about the drugs and that he would “take full responsibility.”
During the footage, Allen reportedly appears confused and upset, repeatedly telling officers he had no idea about the cocaine or methamphetamine. “I just needed to go somewhere,” he says in frustration.
Following the arrest, Allen released a statement addressing the situation directly:
“I understand the optics of this situation are not favorable,” Allen wrote. “However, I have worked diligently throughout my career to honor my commitments; particularly to the youth I mentor and the community I serve. This incident does not diminish my dedication to that work, and I remain committed to being a positive force and leader.”
The 42-year-old NBA champion — known for his defensive grit with the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies — denied ever using methamphetamine or cocaine and made it clear he stands by his record of mentorship and community involvement.
Allen was charged with drug possession and later released. It remains unclear if prosecutors will move forward with any charges against him, given the new video evidence showing his co-defendant taking the blame.
Tony Allen and William Hatton. Bodycam footage (Poinsett County Sheriff’s)
“I’m a professional wrestling promoter. I had probably 18 people in my vehicle in the last two and a half weeks. As you can see, I don’t clean out my vehicle,” said Hatton.
In the video, Hatton admitted he had smoked marijuana in his car the night before, and said a pipe and grinder found in the car belonged to him.
It’s unclear why Hatton was initially pulled over, but in the bodycam video, Hatton can be heard saying he was told he was stopped for changing lanes without using a signal.
Allen bonded out of the Poinsett County Jail on $1,000 bond on Thursday.
Fast Facts
- Arrested: Tony Allen, former Memphis Grizzlies player
- Location: Arkansas
- Charges: Drug possession (marijuana, cocaine, paraphernalia)
- Key Detail: Co-defendant admitted the cocaine and meth belonged to him
- Body Cam: Shows Allen denying knowledge and friend taking responsibility
- Statement: Allen says he’s “committed to being a positive force and leader”
Sources: WMC Action News 5, The Dunk Central, TMZ
