Pubdate: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 Source: Dallas Morning News (TX) Copyright: 2002 The Dallas Morning News Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117 Author: Todd Bensman, of The Dallas Morning News NEWTON ACCEPTS PRISON DECREE 'I've Done Wrong,' Ex-Cowboy Says Of 30-month Sentence Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, flanked by former teammates who attested to his good character, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in prison and fined $25,000 on a federal drug trafficking charge. U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn also ordered Mr. Newton to serve three years' probation when he is free, perform 250 hours of public service by talking to schoolchildren about the dangers of drugs, and submit to mandatory drug testing. Mr. Newton told Judge Lynn he was sorry and ready to be punished. He faced 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine before pleading guilty to a reduced charge of helping several men drive $700,000 worth of marijuana across Texas. "I know I've done wrong, and I know there's a price to be paid," he said in a courtroom packed with court staff and Cowboys fans. Mr. Newton could finish his federal sentence in about 19 months after subtracting the nearly seven months he has served awaiting his punishment and a standard 15 percent reduction for good behavior. But more legal troubles loom. Mr. Newton faces a mandatory five-year minimum prison sentence if convicted in Louisiana on charges that he drove a van loaded with 213 pounds of marijuana. He was arrested Nov. 4 in that case. Defense attorney Steven Jay Rozan said he was not sure whether any legal strategy could chip away at the state's mandatory sentence, which could be tacked onto Mr. Newton's federal sentence. Judge Lynn ordered Mr. Newton, 40, to begin his sentence Oct. 8, when he is expected to report to a Seagoville federal prison he requested for its proximity to friends. Mr. Newton had been held without bail in Seagoville until last week, when he was released to begin putting personal affairs in order. Wearing a gray sport coat, red tie and black slacks, he huddled with friends and attorneys in the courtroom after pronouncement of the sentence, which he had been expecting. He declined to answer when asked why he turned to drug trafficking so soon after a successful football career, during which he helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. "That's a straight no comment," he said. Former Cowboys teammate Deion Sanders said his friend told him he was broke and needed money fast. At one point during the hearing Wednesday, Mr. Newton's attorney asked Judge Lynn to delay payments on Mr. Newton's $25,000 fine until his NFL pension starts in two years. "He exhausted himself financially," Mr. Sanders said. Judge Lynn said she was "impressed" by testimony from a number of prominent and not-so-prominent friends, including Dallas police Officer Tony Hayes. Officer Hayes said he has known Mr. Newton for 20 years and was cleared by supervisors to offer supporting testimony. Also testifying was former Cowboy Kevin Mathis, who said Mr. Newton was kind to children and the elderly, perennially cheerful and generous with friends. Mr. Rozan said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called twice last week to offer support. In sentencing Mr. Newton, Judge Lynn said she could tell from "a refreshing joy of life" she saw him exhibit both on and off the field that he is not a bad person. However, she said because he is a role model, she needed to temper her feelings by sending him to jail. Mr. Newton was free on bail from the Louisiana arrest when authorities stopped him in Ellis County on Dec. 12. They found $10,000 in his red pickup and 175 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of an accompanying Monte Carlo driven by Charles Deaundra Howard, 25, of Garland. Mr. Howard and another suspect, Billy Crenshaw, have pleaded guilty. Co-defendant Bruce Freeman-Canady, 30, of Jacksonville, Fla., also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Ariel