Denied

Newton to remain in custody after judge says no to bail

Nate Newton has been arrested twice in the past six weeks for transporting a total of 388 pounds of marijuana. Robert Laberge/Allsport

DALLAS (AP) -- Former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was denied bail Friday on a charge that he intended to distribute 175 pounds of marijuana.

"There is no condition or set of conditions to reasonably assure the safety of the community," U.S. Magistrate Paul Stickney said during Newton's detention hearing.

Stickney noted that Newton's arrest Wednesday south of Dallas came less than six weeks after he was arrested in Louisiana. Newton was arrested Nov. 4 in Louisiana, accused of driving a van with 213 pounds of marijuana in it.

Newton, who appeared in court Friday in an orange jumpsuit and ankle chains, will remain at a federal detention center southeast of Dallas in Seagoville.

"I don't believe him to be a risk to the community," said Newton's lawyer, Howard Shapiro. "Had he not had the case in Louisiana, the judge would have released him."

Newton and two others were arrested Wednesday in two vehicles south of Dallas. Police said 175 pounds of marijuana was in the trunk of the vehicle that Newton was not driving. A federal official said Friday that the pot had an estimated street value of $700,000.

A duffel bag belonging to Newton had trace amounts of marijuana, but not enough to warrant additional charges, said John Donnelly, a special agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration. The bag was in the truck Newton was driving, Donnelly said.

Donnelly testified Friday that agents made the arrests after being tipped that another man, Billy Crenshaw, was involved in a plan to transport cocaine to Houston.

Shapiro argued that the informant never mentioned Newton, who wasn't aware of the drugs in the other vehicle.

Former Cowboys teammate Michael Irvin attended Friday's hearing, hugging Newton during a break.

"I'm just here to support him," said Irvin, who pleaded no contest to felony cocaine possession charge in 1996.

"We all love him. He who delivered me can deliver him. Hopefully, he's listened to what God is trying to tell him."

Irvin was arrested for cocaine possession earlier this year, but charges were dropped after the district attorney learned that an officer conducted an improper search in the August 2000 apartment raid.

Also charged after Wednesday's arrest are Charles Deaundra Howard of Garland; Bruce Freeman-Canady of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Crenshaw of Dallas. Crenshaw wasn't arrested with the others Wednesday, and authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, the U.S. attorney's office said.

At the hearing Friday, Freeman-Canady was released to home detention in Jacksonville.

After his arrest in Louisiana, Newton was released on $100,000 bond on charges of suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

The prosecutor in the Louisiana case said Newton will probably be arraigned there in January, though this week's arrest could affect that case.

Newton, who lives in East Ellijay, Ga., is a six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman who helped Dallas win three Super Bowls. He spent 14 seasons in the NFL, 13 with Dallas. He retired last year after a season with the Carolina Panthers.

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