Former NFL star gets more prison time

ST. MARTINVILLE, LOUISANA - Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, who is already serving a federal drug sentence in Texas, was sentenced to five years in prison Monday for possession of 213 pounds of marijuana in Louisiana. <br> <br> Judge Don Hernandez initially tried to suspend all but 30 months of Newton&#39;s sentence, but changed his mind after prosecutors said the mandatory minimum sentence was five years. Prosecutors had argued for a sentence of 15 to 20 years. <br> <br> Hernandez told Newton that he could still be a positive role model for children and for his fans. <br> <br> ``I will be. I promise you that,&#39;&#39; Newton said. <br> <br> Newton also received a $50,000 fine. <br> <br> Newton is serving a 30-month federal sentence in Texas on a drug trafficking charge. Newton pleaded guilty to the federal charge in April as part of a plea agreement. <br> <br> His Louisiana sentence will be served concurrently with the federal sentence. <br> <br> Newton&#39;s Louisiana arrest came in November 2001, after he and two women were pulled over for a traffic violation on Interstate 10 in St. Martin Parish. Newton, of East Ellijay, Ga., and the others were accused of hauling the marijuana in their van with plans to sell it. <br> <br> Newton, 40, is a six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman who helped Dallas win three Super Bowls. He spent 14 seasons in the NFL, 13 with Dallas. He retired in 2000 after a season with Carolina. <br> <br> He has also worked as a commentator on ESPN radio and as an analyst for some BET television college football broadcasts.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186725