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Lawyers for Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis are negotiating a plea deal in his drug conspiracy case that would allow him to serve jail time in the offseason, a source close to the case told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Under a deal being discussed with federal prosecutors, Lewis would serve four to six months -- possibly split between jail and a halfway house -- after the season, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
''There would be no jail time that would interfere with his career,'' the source said.
Any deal must be signed off on by all sides and approved by a federal judge. If that happens, the deal could be completed in the next week, the source said.
Lewis, 24, is accused of helping broker a cocaine deal for Angelo Jackson, 26, a childhood friend, during conversations with a government informant in Atlanta during the summer of 2000. Both are scheduled to stand trial Nov. 1 -- the middle of the NFL season.
Last year, Lewis became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
He and Jackson are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and using a cell phone in violation of federal law and attempted cocaine possession. They pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers have suggested in court papers that their clients were entrapped by the informant, who they said has a long criminal record.
The deal being discussed is not contingent on Lewis providing testimony against Jackson, the source said, although Lewis may choose to cooperate.
The source disputed a report in The (Baltimore) Sun on Saturday that said a deal had been reached.
Both Lewis attorney Jerome Froelich and acting U.S. Attorney Sally Yates declined to comment.
Last week, Froelich said he was preparing for trial. But in recent days, talks have apparently intensified as Lewis' defense team has sought to avoid a suspension by the NFL and a trial that could lead to a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence if Lewis is convicted of conspiracy.
Kevin Byrne, a spokesman for the Ravens, said Lewis has done a good job staying focused on football amid the charges.
''Jamal's focus in his job with the Ravens has been excellent all year,'' he said. ''Obviously he's had this hanging over his head all season.''
Source: AP
Under a deal being discussed with federal prosecutors, Lewis would serve four to six months -- possibly split between jail and a halfway house -- after the season, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
''There would be no jail time that would interfere with his career,'' the source said.
Any deal must be signed off on by all sides and approved by a federal judge. If that happens, the deal could be completed in the next week, the source said.
Lewis, 24, is accused of helping broker a cocaine deal for Angelo Jackson, 26, a childhood friend, during conversations with a government informant in Atlanta during the summer of 2000. Both are scheduled to stand trial Nov. 1 -- the middle of the NFL season.
Last year, Lewis became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
He and Jackson are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and using a cell phone in violation of federal law and attempted cocaine possession. They pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers have suggested in court papers that their clients were entrapped by the informant, who they said has a long criminal record.
The deal being discussed is not contingent on Lewis providing testimony against Jackson, the source said, although Lewis may choose to cooperate.
The source disputed a report in The (Baltimore) Sun on Saturday that said a deal had been reached.
Both Lewis attorney Jerome Froelich and acting U.S. Attorney Sally Yates declined to comment.
Last week, Froelich said he was preparing for trial. But in recent days, talks have apparently intensified as Lewis' defense team has sought to avoid a suspension by the NFL and a trial that could lead to a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence if Lewis is convicted of conspiracy.
Kevin Byrne, a spokesman for the Ravens, said Lewis has done a good job staying focused on football amid the charges.
''Jamal's focus in his job with the Ravens has been excellent all year,'' he said. ''Obviously he's had this hanging over his head all season.''
Source: AP