CNN.com - Former Cowboy sentenced in drug case

ST. MARTINVILLE, Louisiana -- Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, already serving a federal sentence for drug trafficking, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for possessing 213 pounds of marijuana in Louisiana.

A judge was prepared to suspend all but 30 months of the sentence, but prosecutors argued that the mandatory minimum sentence is five years. They were seeking a 15-to-20-year sentence.

Newton also was fined $50,000.

Newton and two women were stopped on a Louisiana highway in November 2001 for a traffic violation. Police found the marijuana and said the three were transporting it with the intent to sell.

Newton is currently serving a 30-month federal sentence in Texas for drug trafficking after pleading guilty in April. The state and federal sentences will run concurrently.

Newton, 40, played 13 seasons in Dallas and was named to the Pro Bowl six times. He helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls in the 1990s. He retired in 1999 after playing one season with the Carolina Panthers.

Blazers' Patterson won't be prosecuted

Portland, Oregon -- Prosecutors have dropped assault charges against Portland Trailblazers forward Ruben Patterson after his wife said she did not want them to proceed with the case.

Patterson was arrested November 25 on a felony domestic assault charge after his wife, Shannon, called 911 and said he assaulted her at their home. Police said she had minor injuries when they arrived. She later referred to the incident as a private matter.

Patterson, who is on probation for an attempted rape case in Washington last year, could have spent five years in prison if convicted.

Meanwhile, Patterson's teammates Damon Stoudamire and Rasheed Wallace pleaded not guilty last week to misdemeanor drug possession charges.

The two were arrested Nov. 22 after a car they were passengers in was stopped for speeding and a small amount of marijuana was found in the vehicle. They were returning from a game against the Seattle Supersonics. A pretrial hearing will probably be set for early next year. The three men could face up to three months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.

Patterson, who has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sonics, has averaged 10.9 points and 4.5 rebounds for his career.

Arizona player charged with drug trafficking

CHICAGO, Illinois -- A University of Arizona football player faces drug trafficking charges after police stopped him for a traffic violation and allegedly found 87 pounds of marijuana in his car.

Tight end Justin Levasseur was pulled over for speeding on December 3 near Geneseo, Illinois, about 150 miles west of Chicago, with about $150,000 worth of marijuana. Another man, Max Necochea, who was driving a second vehicle, was arrested on drug and unlawful use of weapons charges, police said.

In a prepared statement, coach John Mackovic, who had recently apologized for calling Levasseur "a disgrace to his family" for the way he played in a game, said, "Athletic Director Jim Livengood and I will speak with Justin and his family before any determination of his team status can be made. Also in legal matters, the athletic department has prescribed a course of investigation and review committed to the student athlete's welfare and rights."

The two men are still in custody in Henry County, Ill., according to athletic department spokesman Richard Paige. Bail was set at $300,000. Levasseur will remain on the team until the case is resolved, Paige added.

Levasseur, a 22-year-old junior, caught 11 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Panthers' Worrell pleads out in DUI case

SUNRISE, Florida -- A Florida Panthers left wing was sentenced to 10 days in jail after pleading no contest to driving under the influence.

Under the plea agreement, Peter Worrell also will serve one year probation and lose his driver's license for five years. If he violates probation, he could spend up to a year in jail. He was previously convicted of DUI in 1998.

On June 16, Worrell rammed the back of a car stopped at a red light. He then backed up and drove off. The driver of the other car saw a police cruiser and motioned for the officer to follow Worrell. When the deputy pulled Worrell over, he allegedly smelled alcohol on his breath. Worrell did not perform well on the field test and refused to take a Breathalyzer test, instead kicking the cruiser's window off track, police said.

Worrell, 25, originally was charged with seven counts, including drunken driving, leaving the scene of a crash and criminal mischief.

Worrell, who at 6-foot, 6-inches, 245 pounds, is the team's enforcer, has scored one goal and has 64 penalty minutes in 24 games this season. His 33 fights were the most in the league last year and he spent 354 minutes in the penalty box.

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