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Jamal Lewis indicted on drug conspiracy charges
ATLANTA (AP) — Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, who had the second highest rushing total in NFL history last season, was indicted Wednesday on federal drug conspiracy charges.
The 24-year-old Atlanta native is accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine from June 23, 2000, until July 19, 2000. He is charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms of a substance containing cocaine and using a cellular phone in the commission of the first count, U.S. Attorney William S. Duffey announced at a news conference.
FBI special agent Hoyt Mahaley stated in an affidavit that an informant contacted Lewis concerning the cocaine and recorded the conversation.
"The cooperating source told Lewis that he/she was willing to sell the narcotics to Lewis' associates for a price that Lewis can tax," meaning the price could be marked up for a profit, Mahaley said in the affidavit.
"And Lewis responded 'Yeah,'" the affidavit said.
Duffey said Lewis is expected to turn himself into authorities on Thursday.
The indictment came out of a drug investigation in an Atlanta neighborhood that has led to 30 convictions and helped dismantle a cocaine-trafficking ring in the city, Duffey said.
Duffey would not comment on whether Lewis was tied to that drug ring.
The same indictment naming Lewis also accused 26-year-old Angelo Jackson of the same counts.
Duffey refused to answer any questions regarding the indictment.
Lewis' lawyer Ed Garland did not immediately return repeated telephone calls to his office seeking comment Wednesday.
A Ravens spokesman, Chad Steele, said the indictment came as a surprise to the team.
"We had no clue," Steele said.
He added the team was still gathering information and would issue a statement later.
The NFL declined to comment.
Lewis led the NFL in rushing with 2,066 yards last season, becoming just the fifth player in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard mark. Baltimore selected Lewis with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2000 draft.
wil.
Jamal Lewis indicted on drug conspiracy charges
ATLANTA (AP) — Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, who had the second highest rushing total in NFL history last season, was indicted Wednesday on federal drug conspiracy charges.
The 24-year-old Atlanta native is accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine from June 23, 2000, until July 19, 2000. He is charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms of a substance containing cocaine and using a cellular phone in the commission of the first count, U.S. Attorney William S. Duffey announced at a news conference.
FBI special agent Hoyt Mahaley stated in an affidavit that an informant contacted Lewis concerning the cocaine and recorded the conversation.
"The cooperating source told Lewis that he/she was willing to sell the narcotics to Lewis' associates for a price that Lewis can tax," meaning the price could be marked up for a profit, Mahaley said in the affidavit.
"And Lewis responded 'Yeah,'" the affidavit said.
Duffey said Lewis is expected to turn himself into authorities on Thursday.
The indictment came out of a drug investigation in an Atlanta neighborhood that has led to 30 convictions and helped dismantle a cocaine-trafficking ring in the city, Duffey said.
Duffey would not comment on whether Lewis was tied to that drug ring.
The same indictment naming Lewis also accused 26-year-old Angelo Jackson of the same counts.
Duffey refused to answer any questions regarding the indictment.
Lewis' lawyer Ed Garland did not immediately return repeated telephone calls to his office seeking comment Wednesday.
A Ravens spokesman, Chad Steele, said the indictment came as a surprise to the team.
"We had no clue," Steele said.
He added the team was still gathering information and would issue a statement later.
The NFL declined to comment.
Lewis led the NFL in rushing with 2,066 yards last season, becoming just the fifth player in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard mark. Baltimore selected Lewis with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2000 draft.
wil.
Here we have this team on the brink of greatness again and this happens again!?
"Lewis & Lewis, Thug Life in the ATL" (coming to a bookstore near you) written by Defense Attorney Ed Garland..
SUMMARY-
This is a real life drama about two football players who had the world by the balls, and foolishly nearly lost it all in the city of Atlanta over something (shady associates) that should have never happened...
"Lewis & Lewis, Thug Life in the ATL" (coming to a bookstore near you) written by Defense Attorney Ed Garland..
SUMMARY-
This is a real life drama about two football players who had the world by the balls, and foolishly nearly lost it all in the city of Atlanta over something (shady associates) that should have never happened...
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RPM:
shit, all he has to do is say he was tempted to do it because of all the money, but he decided not to. you would be hard pressed to find a jury that wouldnt understand...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
GOOD POINT, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY VERY WEAK CASE.
shit, all he has to do is say he was tempted to do it because of all the money, but he decided not to. you would be hard pressed to find a jury that wouldnt understand...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
GOOD POINT, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY VERY WEAK CASE.
Thursday, February 26, 2004
ESPN.com news services
ATLANTA -- Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal drug charges and was released after posting $100,000 bond.
No trial date has been set for Lewis, who is accused of trying to help a childhood friend buy cocaine in the summer of 2000.
He does not have a passport and is not allowed to obtain one, but he is allowed to travel anywhere in the United States.
Lewis didn't speak during the hearing, other than answering "yes" when asked by the judge and the U.S. attorney if he understood his rights and his plea.
Wearing a gray business suit, Lewis was escorted into the courtroom by U.S. marshals and flanked by four attorneys. He was not handcuffed.
Before the hearing Lewis surrendered and was taken into custody at the FBI office in Atlanta, according to an FBI employee who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Two security guards said Lewis entered the building with his attorneys.
The charges include conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms of cocaine. If convicted, he could face 10 years to life in prison.
We asked for your opinions on the drug charges against Jamal Lewis and you responded.
"Jamal Lewis wants everyone to know that he is not guilty, that he has not been involved in drugs," said Ed Garland, an attorney for Lewis, said before the hearing. "He's extremely disappointed that this is happening."
Prosecutors said Lewis met the childhood friend and a woman, who turned out to be a police informant, at a restaurant to discuss a cocaine buy more than three years ago.
That meeting and a prior cell phone conversation between Lewis and the informant are the focus of the federal indictment against the NFL star. No drugs were ever purchased, according to the indictment.
Lewis' attorneys say nothing about the conversation involved cocaine.
Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said the indictment came as a surprise to the team. "We had no clue," he said.
In a statement, the team said: "We believe in due process, and Jamal will have his day in court. There are two sides to every story. From what we know of the charges, these seem out of character for the Jamal we know."
The NFL declined to comment.
The indictment came out of a drug investigation that has led to 30 convictions and helped dismantle a cocaine-trafficking ring in Atlanta, said U.S. Attorney William S. Duffey. He refused to say whether Lewis was tied to that drug ring.
In an affidavit, FBI special agent Hoyt Mahaley said the informant contacted Lewis on his cell phone on June 23, 2000, to discuss selling cocaine to Lewis' friend. The conversation was recorded, according to the agent.
Hours after the call, Lewis and his friend, Angelo Jackson, met with the informant at an Atlanta restaurant, the affidavit said. There, Lewis and Jackson asked the informant how much cocaine the informant was capable of distributing, the affidavit alleges.
Jackson and the informant met again July 12, 2000, at a gas station in suburban Atlanta, the affidavit said. During the meeting, they discussed drugs, but no purchase was made. Lewis wasn't at the gas station.
Garland accused the informant of setting up Lewis and "trumping up what happened" in an attempt to get out of jail. He accused authorities of trying to "create a crime where there isn't one."
Jackson was also indicted. He faces the same counts and a third for attempt to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
A college star at Tennessee, Lewis was the fifth pick overall in the 2000 draft, and signed a six-year, $35.3 million contract with the Ravens that July.
He set an NFL record last year by running for 295 yards in a game, and he had the second-highest season rushing total in league history.
Last year, he became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. His 2,066 yards fell short of Eric Dickerson's record of 2,105 yards in the final game. He was the AP's Offensive Player of the Year.
In November 2001, he was suspended for four games after violating the NFL's substance and alcohol abuse policy for the second time. The league did not disclose the details of the violation, in keeping with its policy.
Lewis is the second Ravens player to face serious charges in Atlanta. In 2000, star linebacker Ray Lewis -- no relation to Jamal -- was charged with murder along with two other men following a post-Super Bowl party fight.
Ray Lewis later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice. He testified against his two co-defendants, who eventually were acquitted of all charges.
wil.
ESPN.com news services
ATLANTA -- Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal drug charges and was released after posting $100,000 bond.
No trial date has been set for Lewis, who is accused of trying to help a childhood friend buy cocaine in the summer of 2000.
He does not have a passport and is not allowed to obtain one, but he is allowed to travel anywhere in the United States.
Lewis didn't speak during the hearing, other than answering "yes" when asked by the judge and the U.S. attorney if he understood his rights and his plea.
Wearing a gray business suit, Lewis was escorted into the courtroom by U.S. marshals and flanked by four attorneys. He was not handcuffed.
Before the hearing Lewis surrendered and was taken into custody at the FBI office in Atlanta, according to an FBI employee who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Two security guards said Lewis entered the building with his attorneys.
The charges include conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms of cocaine. If convicted, he could face 10 years to life in prison.
We asked for your opinions on the drug charges against Jamal Lewis and you responded.
"Jamal Lewis wants everyone to know that he is not guilty, that he has not been involved in drugs," said Ed Garland, an attorney for Lewis, said before the hearing. "He's extremely disappointed that this is happening."
Prosecutors said Lewis met the childhood friend and a woman, who turned out to be a police informant, at a restaurant to discuss a cocaine buy more than three years ago.
That meeting and a prior cell phone conversation between Lewis and the informant are the focus of the federal indictment against the NFL star. No drugs were ever purchased, according to the indictment.
Lewis' attorneys say nothing about the conversation involved cocaine.
Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said the indictment came as a surprise to the team. "We had no clue," he said.
In a statement, the team said: "We believe in due process, and Jamal will have his day in court. There are two sides to every story. From what we know of the charges, these seem out of character for the Jamal we know."
The NFL declined to comment.
The indictment came out of a drug investigation that has led to 30 convictions and helped dismantle a cocaine-trafficking ring in Atlanta, said U.S. Attorney William S. Duffey. He refused to say whether Lewis was tied to that drug ring.
In an affidavit, FBI special agent Hoyt Mahaley said the informant contacted Lewis on his cell phone on June 23, 2000, to discuss selling cocaine to Lewis' friend. The conversation was recorded, according to the agent.
Hours after the call, Lewis and his friend, Angelo Jackson, met with the informant at an Atlanta restaurant, the affidavit said. There, Lewis and Jackson asked the informant how much cocaine the informant was capable of distributing, the affidavit alleges.
Jackson and the informant met again July 12, 2000, at a gas station in suburban Atlanta, the affidavit said. During the meeting, they discussed drugs, but no purchase was made. Lewis wasn't at the gas station.
Garland accused the informant of setting up Lewis and "trumping up what happened" in an attempt to get out of jail. He accused authorities of trying to "create a crime where there isn't one."
Jackson was also indicted. He faces the same counts and a third for attempt to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
A college star at Tennessee, Lewis was the fifth pick overall in the 2000 draft, and signed a six-year, $35.3 million contract with the Ravens that July.
He set an NFL record last year by running for 295 yards in a game, and he had the second-highest season rushing total in league history.
Last year, he became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. His 2,066 yards fell short of Eric Dickerson's record of 2,105 yards in the final game. He was the AP's Offensive Player of the Year.
In November 2001, he was suspended for four games after violating the NFL's substance and alcohol abuse policy for the second time. The league did not disclose the details of the violation, in keeping with its policy.
Lewis is the second Ravens player to face serious charges in Atlanta. In 2000, star linebacker Ray Lewis -- no relation to Jamal -- was charged with murder along with two other men following a post-Super Bowl party fight.
Ray Lewis later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice. He testified against his two co-defendants, who eventually were acquitted of all charges.
wil.
