RAVENS STAR TO DO JAIL TIME

Jamal Lewis To Serve 4 Months For Drug Charge

Baltimore Ravens star Jamal Lewis pleaded guilty yesterday to using a
cellphone to try to broker a cocaine deal, avoiding more serious federal
drug charges that could have sent him to prison for life.

Lewis, a running back who came within 40 yards of the NFL single-season
rushing record last season, will serve four months in prison after the end
of the football season as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors.

He has also agreed to spend two months in a halfway house and perform
community service. In return, prosecutors are expected to drop drug
conspiracy and intent to possess cocaine charges against Lewis.

"It probably is in the best interests of both sides," U.S. District Court
Judge Orinda Evans said as she accepted Lewis' plea. Lewis' sentencing has
been set for January.

The 25-year-old was arrested and charged in February 2004 with conspiring
to possess with the intent to distribute 11 pounds of cocaine as well as
using a cellphone to commit a drug felony in 2000.

Prosecutors had accused Lewis of trying to help childhood friend Angelo
Jackson buy cocaine and discussing buying the illegal drug in a meeting
with Jackson and an undercover police informant that summer.

No cocaine was ever bought, according to the indictment.

"I made a mistake four years ago," Lewis said after his court appearance.
"It's a difficult time for me."

Lewis' ordeal marked the second time in four years that a Raven star faced
serious criminal charges in Atlanta. Linebacker Ray Lewis, who is unrelated
to Jamal, was charged with murder after a brawl that left two men dead
outside one of the city's nightclubs in 2000.

The linebacker pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced
to 12 months' probation.

Jamal Lewis will also have to face the possibility of a suspension or fine
under the NFL's strict no-drug policy. "We know that the (NFL) commissioner
will look thoroughly at the circumstances surrounding Jamal's admission.

We will accept whatever the commissioner decides," Ravens President Dick
Cass said in a statement.

Reuters