South Carolina Federal Defense Lawyers

Chicago Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd remained in custody last night after his hearing in federal court on allegations he tried to establish a drug distribution network that would sell more than 10 pounds of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana a week.

Federal agents arrested Hurd Wednesday and charged him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The investigation began in Dallas last summer before the receiver signed a three-year deal with the Bears worth up to $5.15 million.

Hurd appeared before Judge Young B. Kim in U.S. District Court in a five-minute hearing late Thurday afternoon. He was dressed in a gray T-shirt and dark jeans and answered “Yes, sir” in a low voice to the judge’s questions whether he understood his rights.

The hearing was continued until 3 p.m. today, at which time he is expected to be released on bail for further proceedings, which will be moved to Texas.

According the criminal complaint, Hurd told an undercover federal agent at a restaurant Wednesday he was interested in buying five to ten kilograms (2.2 pounds per kilo) of cocaine every week to sell in the Chicago area. He took a kilogram of cocaine with the promise to pay for it after Bears practice Thursday, and was arrested after he put it in his car.

Federal agents said the case began in Texas over the summer after receiving a tip from an informant; investigators subsequently found $88,000 cash in the trunk of a car belonging to Hurd.

Bears players and officials said Thursday they were stunned by the news and coach Lovie Smith said the first inkling of the case came when Hurd didn’t show up for practice.

By South Carolina Federal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom