Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Baltimore Ravens star running back Jamal Lewis was hit with an additional drug charge Tuesday.
Lewis, already indicted for conspiring to possess cocaine, now faces charges of attempting to possess the drug, a strategy used to by federal prosecutors to clarify their case. The NFL's leading rusher last season is scheduled to go to trial on November 1, right in the middle of the 2004 campaign. The Ravens will be on the road at Philadelphia on October 31 and host rival Cleveland in what could be a pivotal division game the following Sunday. Lewis has been accused of trying to help a childhood friend buy up to 50 kilograms of cocaine in a deal that turned out to be part of an FBI sting operation in the summer of 2000. The Pro Bowl running back was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted on the first count, he could face a mandatory prison term of at least 10 years In the newest filing, prosecutors gave a more detailed report of the allegations. Lewis allegedly took his friend, Angelo Jackson, to a restaurant to set up a cocaine buy. The 'seller' waiting there, however, was a government informant. Lewis called the informant a few weeks later and requested that he sell Jackson about a kilogram of cocaine, according to the charges, which also include using a cell phone in the commission of a drug crime. Last season, Lewis became the fifth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards and amassed the second-highest single-season yardage total in NFL history (2,066 yards). He also broke the NFL's single-game rushing record with a 295-yard effort against Cleveland on September 14. The University of Tennessee product was Baltimore's first-round pick in the 2000 draft (fifth overall), and rushed for 1,364 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie when the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. 08/17 19:45:01 ET ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
