Watch CBS News

Los Angeles Man Gets 24 Years For Drug Ring Involving Ex-Cowboy

DALLAS (AP) — A Los Angeles man must serve more than 24 years in prison for leading what prosecutors say was a drug ring that included ex-Dallas Cowboy Kurt Vollers.

A federal judge in Dallas on Friday sentenced 35-year-old John Patrick Newton.

Newton in April 2010 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana, maintaining a drug-involved premise, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Investigators say Newton, sentenced to 292 months, leased an apartment in Irving to store, distribute and manufacture marijuana.

Vollers and two other co-defendants last spring pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Vollers faces a maximum 40 years in prison when he's sentenced March 25.

Vollers played for the Cowboys from 2002 to 2004. He played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2005.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.