Lewis to plead guilty Thursday

2- to 4-game NFL penalty likely from drug charge

By Ken Murray | Sun Staff

October 5, 2004

Jamal Lewis: "That stuff [the court case] is going to take care of itself. My main focus right now is ... on the Redskins." (Sun photo by Jerry Jackson / October 4, 2004)

Ravens running back Jamal Lewis has agreed to plead guilty Thursday in federal court in Atlanta on the charge of using a cell phone to facilitate a drug transaction, a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse program that will trigger disciplinary action from the league.

Several reports were broadcast last night speculating the length of the suspension might be two to four games.

Terms of the plea deal, first reported by The Sun on Saturday, could become public as early as today pending a decision from U.S. District Judge Orinda D. Evans.

After last night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Lewis was noncommittal when asked about the court case.

Have you heard from the league about possible sanctions?

"No, I haven't."

Do you think you'll know anything more this week?

"No, I don't know what to expect."

In fact, after gaining 73 yards on 15 carries, he said his attention is centered on football matters.

"That stuff is going to take care of itself," he said of the court case. "My main focus right now is focusing on the Redskins [the Ravens' opponent Sunday] and trying to get a win. That's the only way I can be."

Meanwhile, attorneys were fully focused on Lewis' plea bargain.

The lawyer for Lewis' co-defendant in a drug conspiracy case, Angelo Jackson, petitioned the court yesterday to unseal details of the agreement.

"There's great public interest in what's going on in Jamal Lewis' case," said Atlanta attorney Steve Sadow, "and there is no compelling reason for the government to keep it secret."

Curiously, one of Lewis' attorneys suggested the agreement was not, in fact, sealed.

"I can't imagine we have any opposition," said defense attorney Don Samuel. "There is no secret."

An aide to Evans said yesterday that if there was no opposition, the judge more than likely would grant the request.

Prosecutors in the U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta declined comment.

The aide confirmed the plea hearing was on the court docket for 4 p.m. Thursday, a procedure that might take only 30 minutes but will require Lewis' presence.

The deal must be agreed to by both the prosecution and the defense, and be approved by Evans.

Lewis, 25 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, then would be subject to discipline from the NFL as a three-time violator of the substance-abuse program. The NFL's Management Council administers the program and, with commissioner Paul Tagliabue's approval, will take punitive measures that could include a fine, suspension or combination of the two.