DALLAS (CN) - Former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd and an alleged co-conspirator were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of setting up a drug distribution network from Texas to Illinois.
Hurd, 26, of Lake Forest, Ill., and Toby Lujan, 26, of Dallas, were each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Hurd is free on $100,000 bond; an arrest warrant has been issued for Lujan.
Hurd was arrested on Dec. 14 outside a Chicago steakhouse allegedly after accepting a kilogram of cocaine from an undercover Homeland Security agent.
The Chicago Bears released him a few days later. He played for the Dallas Cowboys for 5 years before leaving for Chicago this year.
According to the criminal complaint, a confidential informant told Homeland Security agents that Lujan was trying to buy 4 kilograms of cocaine for Hurd. An informant met with Lujan, a traffic stop was arranged and a search of Lujan's vehicle allegedly revealed a canvas bag containing $88,000 in cash.
The complaint states that Lujan abandoned all interest in the currency and said the money belonged to Hurd, whom he had known for a considerable time. Lujan said he does maintenance on Hurd's vehicles and that Hurd routinely left large amounts of currency in his vehicles.
Hurd later allegedly said that he owned the cash seized from Lujan, that he withdrew and wired money on July 25, 2011, and that he had packed the $88,000, along with other items, into his vehicle before turning it over to Lujan for maintenance and detailing. But authorities say the bank statement that Hurd provided did not accurately reflect the transactions and amounts he claimed.
According to the complaint, in telephone conversations last month, Hurd told the confidential informant (CI) that he wanted to buy 5 kilograms of cocaine and wanted to set up continued business with the confidential informant and his associates. The informant told Hurd that he or she would be in the Chicago area soon, after which Hurd said he wanted to meet to negotiate prices, discuss quantities and establish a long-term business relationship.
The complaint states that on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, Hurd met with an undercover agent at the Chicago steakhouse.
"Hurd introduced himself as the 'Sam' that had been communicating with the CI. Hurd stated that he was interested in purchasing 5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine, at $25,000 per kilogram, and 1,000 pounds of marijuana, at $450 per pound, per week for distribution in the Chicago area," prosecutors said in a statement.
Hurd, according to the complaint, said that he and a co-conspirator distribute about 4 kilograms of cocaine per week in Chicago, but that his supplier couldn't supply him with enough quantity. Hurd allegedly added that his co-conspirator was in charge of doing most of the deals while he focused on the "higher-end" deals.
Hurd allegedly said that some money had been seized from him in Dallas, but that seizure couldn't be associated with him. After they finished negotiating, the undercover agent presented Hurd with a kilogram of cocaine, which Hurd accepted, according to the complaint.
According to prosecutors, Hurd said that he plays for the Chicago Bears and that he gets out of practice at about 5:30 p.m., after which he would make arrangements to pay for the kilogram of cocaine. Hurd left the restaurant with the bag of cocaine and was arrested in the parking lot of the restaurant.
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