Former Bears receiver Sam Hurd pleaded guilty to drug trafficking Thursday in Dallas, just days before his federal drug trial was set to begin.
The former Northern Illinois player, currently in prison, was charged with drug conspiracy, accused of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana beginning in July 2011 and continuing through June 6, 2012. His trial was set for Monday.
Hurd’s attorneys have said Hurd, who turns 28 this month, is a marijuana user but not a cocaine dealer. His attorney Jay Ethingon said Hurd invested in a medicinal marijuana business in California two years ago.
Hurd has yet to be sentenced. Hurd faces up to life in prison and a $10 million fine.
Hurd’s attorneys have said the only time cocaine was directly linked to Hurd was during a federal sting in a Chicago area steakhouse in December 2011 shortly before he was arrested outside. The cocaine was given to him after he allegedly said he wanted to buy 5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana weekly to distribute. The Bears later released him.
With a guilty plea, it’s unlikely that any names of NFL players who may have been privy to or involved in Hurd’s alleged drug trafficking will be disclosed.
Last month, the government filed a revised indictment that broadened and streamlined its case that he was trying to set up a massive drug network, charging him with one federal drug count instead of six.
Hurd has been in federal custody since last summer when he was arrested in San Antonio after testing positive for marijuana while out on bond. Prosecutors also accused him of trying to purchase drugs while out on bond.
A plea deal almost was reached last fall but apparently fell apart. Hurd's cousin, Jesse Tyrone Chavful, already has pleaded guilty to one federal drug charge and a third man, Toby Lujan, pleaded guilty in August. Both were among some five dozen government witnesses expected to testify.
Al Porter, a retired teacher in San Antonio for whom Hurd served as an aide and who helped Hurd host youth football camps, said he hopes the former Bear is able to get his life back in order.
“He took a detour and today was the first step for him getting back on the road,” Porter said. “If he’s really remorseful for what he’s been doing, this is the time to start anew. It’s still kind of shocking to even imagine Sam involved with all this stuff.”