Former NFL Star Henry Ruggs III Now Works At Nevada Governor’s Mansion For $2.50 Hourly While Serving Prison Sentence

Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has been assigned to work at the Nevada Governor’s Mansion in Carson City while serving his 3-to-10-year prison sentence.

Ruggs, 25, was sentenced on August 9, 2023, after he pleaded guilty to driving drunk at a speed of 156 mph and causing a tragic crash that claimed the lives of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog. During the incident, which occurred in November 2021, Ruggs had a blood-alcohol level of 0.16, twice the legal limit, according to prosecutors.

Ruggs has been classified as a “community trusty” by the Nevada Department of Corrections, a designation that grants him the opportunity to work for government offices and earn a modest wage of $2.50 per hour. This unique program is designed for minimum custody and low-risk inmates who demonstrate a limited potential for misbehavior and a low risk of escape. In his current role at the Governor’s Mansion, Ruggs is tasked with a range of duties, which includes cleaning, groundwork and assistance with events.

“Community trusty inmates represent a limited potential to misbehave and a low risk to escape while assigned to employment within the community,” the department stated, underscoring the careful evaluation and placement of individuals like Ruggs.

Ruggs’ journey has taken an unconventional path, as he began serving his sentence at the High Desert State Prison northwest of Las Vegas before he was transferred to the Stewart Conservation Camp last September. This transfer to the minimum-security facility reflects the department’s efforts to tailor the incarceration experience to the individual’s risk profile and rehabilitation needs.

Notably, Ruggs is one of approximately four inmates assigned to work at the Governor’s Mansion, a testament to the selective nature of this program and the trust placed in these individuals.

As Ruggs navigates his sentence, he remains eligible for parole in August 2026, with the possibility of earning credit for time served through his participation in the work program. This opportunity for redemption and reintegration into society underscores the complex and nuanced approach to criminal justice that seeks to balance accountability, rehabilitation and the realization of a second chance.

In 2020, Riggs broke the NFL Combine record for the 40-yard dash.