Dallas Cowboys and former Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Michael Irvin was indicted by a Dallas County grand jury Monday on two charges of possession of cocaine and marijuana in connection with a drug bust at a motel last month, according to the Dallas prosecutor’s office.
Irvin, 30, was charged with possession of at least 4 grams of cocaine, which is a felony, officials said.
If convicted on the cocaine charge, Irvin could face up to 20 years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine. The marijuana charge is a misdemeanor and could result in 180 days in jail -and/or a $2,000 fine if he is convicted.
But because he has no prior felony record, he also would be eligible for probation if convicted.
Also indicted on the same charges and facing the same punishment was Angela Renee Beck, 22. A second woman, Jasmine Nabwangu, 21, was indicted for possession of less than a gram of cocaine and marijuana possession.
According to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Irvin was booked at the jail shortly after the indictments and released on $5,500 bond.
Irvin could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Kevin Clancy, said he had no statement, other than “He’ll plead not guilty.”Steve Endicott, Irvin’s agent, said his office “has no comment per Michael’s instructions.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Irvin grew up in Fort Lauderdale, one of 17 children. After graduating from St. Thomas High School, he stayed close to home to play at UM, then was a first-round pick by the Cowboys in 1988.
After 32, 26 and 20 receptions in his first three NFL seasons, Irvin excelled in 1991 – 93 receptions. He had 78 and 88 catches in the next two seasons as the Cowboys won successive Super Bowls.
“I have a strong feeling for Michael. I hope these charges are not true. Regardless, I only wish the best for him,” said the Dolphins’ Jimmy Johnson, who coached Irvin in college and with the Cowboys.
Johnson had written in his book that he once counseled Irvin to stop running with people of ill repute and that Irvin followed his advice.
Hurricanes coach Butch Davis, who was on Johnson’s staff at UM and with the Cowboys, declined comment.
The NFL released a statement saying that league officials are aware of the grand jury action and “will closely monitor the case. Players ultimately convicted of drug-related violations of law are subject to disciplinary action” by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Under NFL drug policy, players involved in drug-related incidents are required to be evaluated by independent doctors, which could result in a mandatory drug treatment program.
Players in the drug treatment program have to take 10 random tests per month for two years or face fines that could lead to suspension.
Irvin and his wife, Sandi, a former Dolphins cheerleader, live in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton. Irvin had a career-high 111 receptions for 1,603 yards last season.
The indictments came after the grand jury heard testimony from witnesses, including Irvin, the two women and Alfredo Roberts, Irvin’s former teammate, about a March 4 drug bust that occurred after police responded to a manager’s complaint at the Residence Inn in Irving, Texas.
A spokesman for the motel said its night manager had called Irving police to report noise from one of the guest rooms and people coming in and out of the room.
According to broadcast and published reports, police found Irvin, Roberts and the two women in the motel room with 2 ounces of cocaine and 3 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police said Beck was arrested on drug charges after she told them that she was the owner of the drugs. Irvin, Roberts and Nabwangu were not arrested at that time.
Dallas television station KXAS last week quoted sources close to the investigation as saying that Irvin’s fingerprints were found on various items in the room, including dinner plates on which drugs were found.
The station also reported that a glass container with cocaine residue was found in Irvin’s overnight bag.
Staff writers Jason Cole and Rachel Alexander contributed to this report, which was also supplemented with information from The Dallas Morning News.
