MARINOVICH MAY FACE THREE YEARS IN PRISON

Avenger quarterback Todd Marinovich was charged with possession of
heroin Friday by the Los Angeles district attorney's office, and could
face up to three years in state prison if convicted.

Spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said Marinovich will be arraigned next
Friday on one felony count of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor
count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one misdemeanor count
of driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Marinovich, 31, was arrested by Los Angeles police Wednesday on
suspicion of drug possession. He was taken to the Parker Center in
downtown Los Angeles and released on $10,000 bail.

If convicted of the felony charge, Gibbons said, Marinovich faces a
maximum sentence of three years in state prison. She said the
misdemeanor charges each carry a sentence of six months in the county
jail, but in cases such as this, the felony charge takes precedence.

Gibbons said the charges were filed by Timothy Smith, a deputy
district attorney in the central complaints division, but added no
prosecutor has been assigned the case.

No officials from the Avengers would comment on the charges Friday.
Marinovich could not be reached for comment.

Marinovich, who played for USC and the Los Angeles Raiders, played
eight games last season for the Avengers in their maiden season in the
Arena Football League. He had recently signed a one-year deal for the
coming season, which starts next April, and was penciled in as the
starting quarterback.