Pubdate: Thu, 16 Nov 2000
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2000 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64108
Feedback: http://www.kansascity.com/Discussion/
Website: http://www.kcstar.com/
Author: Mark Morris

VANOVER SENTENCED TO FOUR MONTHS' CONFINEMENT

Former Chiefs kick returner Tamarick Vanover was sentenced to four 
months' confinement Thursday for his conviction on a federal 
car-theft charge.

U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner ordered Vanover to serve the first 
two months in a federal facility with the remaining time in home 
detention.

The sentencing was another step in an ongoing federal investigation 
of drug dealing and car theft that has touched states on both coasts. 
The drug ring smuggled more than 200 pounds of cocaine to Kansas City 
each month, and the car-theft ring sold stolen luxury cars around the 
country.

Last February, Vanover pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the sale 
of a stolen sport-utility vehicle that had crossed state lines.

Chris Whitley, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, said 
Thursday's sentence reflected the help Vanover has given to federal 
authorities investigating related stolen car and drug cases.

"The sentence was commensurate with his level of cooperation," Whitley said.

At the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Oliver said information 
gleaned from interviews with Vanover has led to the convictions of at 
least six other persons, including former Chiefs running back Bam 
Morris.

Addressing the judge, Vanover apologized and asked for mercy.

"I'm truly ashamed of my conduct and sorry for my actions," Vanover said.

His wife, Deidra, told Fenner she was shocked at her husband's crime 
because it was out of character. She said that since his guilty plea, 
he has redoubled his devotion to her, his church and their two young 
sons.

"Please have mercy on my husband," she said. "I know what he did was 
wrong, and I know he'll never do it again....I need him in my life."

Vanover also was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and make $6,241 in 
restitution to an insurance company for its losses related to the 
vehicle theft.

Vanover first came to the attention of federal authorities in the 
spring of 1999 as they investigated the Kansas City end of a cocaine 
trafficking ring based in Fresno, Calif. On Jan. 25, prosecutors 
charged Vanover's friend and personal assistant, Gregory E. Burns, 
with cocaine trafficking. The same day, Vanover agreed to cooperate 
with investigators and began four days of interviews with federal 
agents.

Investigative records reviewed by The Kansas City Star show Vanover 
immediately disclosed his involvement in two drug deals. In one case, 
he acknowledged giving Burns $8,000 to buy cocaine in Miami during 
the middle of the 1998 football season.

Burns later pleaded guilty to unrelated drug trafficking charges.

Vanover also told agents that he gave teammate Morris $40,000 to buy 
marijuana in Texas in April 1999. Morris also later pleaded guilty to 
drug trafficking charges.

With Vanover emerging as an important witness, his defense lawyer, 
Michael Yonke, negotiated a deal with prosecutors that other defense 
lawyers have envied.

Despite financing drug deals, Vanover was allowed to plead guilty to 
helping sell a stolen sport utility vehicle to a friend in Florida. 
While still a felony, the charge carried a lower penalty than a drug 
conviction.

Yonke on Thursday defended the agreement and said the judge had been 
fair to Vanover in light of his cooperation.

"(Vanover) understands his actions were wrong," Yonke said. "While he 
was hoping for a lighter sentence, he understands the judge has been 
fair with him. He's willing to serve his time and put this behind 
him."

Morris could face 10 or more years in prison, though he, too, is 
meeting with federal agents, recent court records show.

Vanover's case is a small part of a much larger and still active 
federal probe that has touched California, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, 
Missouri, North Carolina and Washington D.C. The investigation has 
resulted in 20 convictions in Kansas City alone.

Last week, a federal jury in Fresno, Calif., convicted the leader of 
the cocaine ring, Victor Lamont Brown, who faces from 30 years to 
life in prison.
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