Former Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd, after being indicted on six federal drug charges, now only faces one charge after the government filed a revised indictment last month. The indictment sought to broaden and streamline the case.
Hurd, who is currently in prison, has been charged with drug conspiracy. The government claims he conspired to posses with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana beginning in July 2011 and continuing through June 6, 2012. If convicted, Hurd faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine.
According to Hurd’s attorney in Dallas, the new charge was a surprise, as it came only 20 days before the trial on previous charges began. He said, though, that negotiations with the government have resumed and that the case is still expected to go to trial.
Hurd’s attorneys filed a motion to delay the trial, alleging that they need more time to review the more than 4,000 pages of discover material the government provided them over the past several weeks. That material includes flight records, business and financial records, and text messages.
Hurd was first arrested in December 2011 outside a Chicago-area steakhouse after-so say police-telling undercover agents he wanted to purchase 5 to 109 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana weekly for distribution and accepted 100 kilograms of cocaine.
Drug charges followed the arrested, and additional charges were imposed after an arrested while Hurd was out on bond. Hurd has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Prosecutors streamline drug case against former Bear Hurd,” Jared Hopkins, March 20, 2013
