DALLAS -- Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin
surrendered to police Saturday night, one day after Denton County
authorities issued an arrest warrant on a felony cocaine possession
charge.
Irvin surrendered to the Duncanville Police Department about
7:05 p.m. Saturday, said Keith Bilbrey, a department spokesman.
Irvin was arraigned immediately, posted a $2,500 bail bond and was
released at 8:05 p.m., Bilbrey said.
"He was very professional, very courteous," Bilbrey said.
Irvin's attorney, Howard Shapiro, said at a Friday news
conference that Irvin would turn himself in at an undisclosed
location to avoid media scrutiny. Denton County authorities had
said Irvin could turn himself in and post bond at any law
enforcement agency in the state.
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Irvin's off-field trouble
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March 4, 1996: Irving, Texas, police respond to complaints of
a loud party at a motel. Police find marijuana and cocaine along
with drug paraphernalia in room where Irvin and three others are
staying.
April 1, 1996: Grand jury indicts Irvin and two others on
misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Irvin also is charged with
felony possession of at least 4 grams of cocaine.
July 15, 1996: Irvin pleads no contest to second-degree felony
cocaine possession in exchange for four years' deferred probation,
$10,000 fine and dismissal of misdemeanor marijuana possession
charges against him. The deferred probation means if he stays out
of trouble, the charge is cleared from his record.
Oct. 10, 1999: Irvin suffers neck injury that leaves him
temporarily paralyzed on the turf of Veterans Stadium in
Philadelphia. The game against the Eagles is his last.
July 6, 2000: A Dallas judge ends Irvin's probation 9 days
early.
July 10, 2000: Irvin announces his retirement from the Cowboys
and his new job as a commentator for Fox Sports Net.
Aug. 9, 2000: Irvin arrested in North Dallas apartment complex
on a charge of misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Aug. 11, 2000: Members of a drug task force say they won't
pursue marijuana charges against Irvin following his arrest in the
North Dallas apartment complex.
June 21, 2001: A Denton County grand jury indicts Irvin on a
felony charge of possessing less than a gram of cocaine stemming
from the Aug. 9 arrest.
June 22, 2001: Arrest warrant issued for Michael Irvin. |
The charge stems from Irvin's Aug. 9 arrest at a North Dallas
apartment where law officers said they found marijuana and other
drugs. Less than two months earlier, the former football star had
completed four years of deferred probation on a no-contest plea to
felony cocaine possession.
If convicted on the felony cocaine possession charge, Irvin
could face six months to two years in jail and up to a $10,000
fine.
Efforts by The Associated Press to reach Shapiro on Saturday
were unsuccessful.
Shapiro said Friday that Irvin planned to plead innocent and ask
for a jury trial.
Irvin, who retired from football in July of last year, has been
adamant about his innocence in the latest case. He said he was
simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Shapiro was incredulous at Assistant District Attorney Lee Ann
Breading's remark that prosecutors will likely recommend jail time
rather than probation because of Irvin's previous offenses.
"I would say that's the most ridiculous statement I've ever
heard," Shapiro said. "If you can tell me that you believe that
Michael Irvin deserves to go to the penitentiary for what you know
about this case, then my whole system of what's right or wrong is
out of whack."
FBI spokeswoman Lori Bailey said the case evolved after officers
with the Collin-Denton County Drug Task Force, of which the FBI is
a part, attempted to arrest Rhonda Adaham on a federal warrant at
her apartment.
Adaham was not there, but her sister, Nelly Adaham, and Irvin
were found and arrested. Nelly Adaham was indicted on the same
charge as Irvin, but Rhonda Adaham was not indicted, Breading said.
Breading couldn't comment on specific evidence presented to the
grand jury, nor would she discuss the nature of the arrest, why
Irvin was at the apartment, or how he knew the women.
Authorities said they found less than 2 ounces of marijuana
along with ecstasy pills. Irvin was not charged after the arrest.
Irvin, a member of three Super Bowl champion teams with the
Cowboys, established himself over 12 seasons as one of the NFL's
best receivers. The final catch of his career was No. 750, tying
him for 10th in league history. He holds every significant
receiving record for the Cowboys and is ninth in receiving yards in
NFL history.
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| More from ESPN... |
AUDIO/VIDEO
Attorney Howard Shapiro questions the accuracy of Michael Irvin's indictment.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Randy Galloway of WBAP Radio discusses Michael Irvin's arrest.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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