Trey Songz’ bodyguard, Cornell Whitfield, has recently received a one-year jail sentence in Dubai for intervening to protect Grammy-nominated R&B artist Trey Songz from a potential attack. The incident occurred outside the prestigious FIVE Palm Jumeirah hotel, where Whitfield found himself facing an aggressive hotel guest who was swearing and gesticulating.
In an attempt to calm the situation, Whitfield lightly tapped the man’s face. He believed the confrontation was resolved and subsequently returned to the United States. However, upon his return to Dubai two months ago, he was arrested on assault charges following a criminal complaint filed by the man he had struck.
To have the charges dropped, Whitfield was instructed to pay £49,000 ($60,000) to his alleged victim. Unfortunately, he was unable to gather the required funds and subsequently received the one-year jail sentence. Currently out on bail, Whitfield is prohibited from leaving the United Arab Emirates, causing distress to his family in Miami, Florida, who eagerly await his return.
Notably, Whitfield has previously served as a bodyguard for various high-profile figures, including NFL sports stars Trevon Diggs and Deebo Samuels, actor Junior Combs, and rapper Quavo. During the incident in question, Whitfield was accompanying Trey Songz as part of his security detail when they encountered a Jordanian national behaving aggressively towards them.
Whitfield insists that his actions were justified and that he merely tapped the man’s face to de-escalate the situation. Despite having evidence of the incident recorded on hotel CCTV and witnesses supporting his account, prosecutors allowed the alleged victim to pursue Whitfield for a monetary settlement.
Unable to pay the demanded amount, Whitfield remains trapped in the United Arab Emirates. However, his former clients have rallied behind him and are committed to assisting in raising the necessary funds for his return home. Throughout this ordeal, Whitfield maintains that he was solely performing his duty and emphasizes the erratic behavior of the man he encountered.
With an appeal lodged against his sentence, Whitfield hopes to acquire the justice he deserves and be reunited with his family. The support shown by individuals such as Lil Kim reflects the impact of this distressing situation.
