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Updates on Dexter

On Feb. 14, 1995, former Washington Redskin Dexter Manley was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (David Aldridge, "At Rock Bottom, Manley Searches for a Way Back Up," Washington Post, March 5, 1995, p. D1).

(Given a 4 year sentence in October of 1995.

This is Manley's third drug-related arrest in four months, but he was not charged in two previous incidents. On Nov. 13, 1994, he was arrested in a raid on a reputed crack house. On Jan. 24, 1995, he was arrested for not paying phone bills at a motel and officers found a crack pipe in the back of the police car after transporting Manley to the station.

Arrest warrant issued for Dexter Manley
March 22, 2002
HOUSTON (AP) -- Former NFL star Dexter Manley faces an arrest warrant for failing to appear at a pre-sentencing hearing after his conviction on drug charges.

A jury found the defensive lineman guilty Wednesday of attempting to swallow less than a gram of cocaine during a January 2001 drug bust at a motel.

The 43-year-old Manley had said he was innocent. He remained free on $20,000 bail pending his sentencing but missed Thursday's hearing. His formal sentencing is April 5.

Manley's lawyer, Jonathan Munier, said his client was aware of the scheduled meeting.

"He was informed by both myself and the court," Munier said. "I'm terribly disappointed. I don't know where he is, but I would urge him, if he could hear me, that he needs to make his appearance before the court as soon as possible."

Manley faces up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine

He was stopped Jan. 10, 2001, when officers watched him leave a hotel room they were about to search. Police said Manley tried to swallow the cocaine as they were attempting to arrest him.

Prosecutors said Manley was not the subject of the warrant and just happened to be there.

Drugs led to Manley's retirement from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991 after a second failed drug test. Manley had previously failed a drug test in 1989 while playing for the Washington Redskins. He was suspended from the NFL and the next year joined the Arizona Cardinals.

Dexter Manley says two-year jail sentence on drug charges was unfair
April 4, 2002
HOUSTON (AP) -- While he accepts his recently imposed two-year jail sentence for drug related charges, former CFL and NFL star Dexter Manley says the punishment was unfair.

Manley was sentenced last week for evidence tampering after he was convicted March 20 of swallowing cocaine during a January 2001 drug bust.

When he failed to show up for a court-ordered meeting after his conviction, an arrest warrant was issued for him. Manley was arrested at a Houston hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of depression.

"It was a great mistake I made (not showing up for court-ordered meeting)," Manley told Houston television station KRIV from the Harris County Jail. "If I had to do it all over again I would not do the same thing.

"I would adhere to what the judge asked me to do."

However, Manley, 43, called the two-year sentence "harsh," saying he had done everything the courts had asked him to do since his January 2001 arrest.

Manley, a former NFL star who also spent time in the CFL with the Ottawa Rough Riders and Shreveport Pirates, could have received as little as probation. His possible state jail term ranged from six months to two years. He received the maximum.

Thank you for the update on Dexter. I had always wondered if he had ever conquered his demons and done something with his life. It must be hard not being able to read and write on top of all of his other problems.

Speaking of Dexter Manley....I recall he appeared on Capitol Hill once to testify about his being passed along in the educational system all his life...not being able to read or write...simply because he was a star athelete. As I recall...the Skins drafted him out of Oklahoma State.Who was coaching at Oklahoma St. back then......was it none other than Jimmy Johnson?