LOS ANGELES (Feb. 16, 2006) -- Former NFL defensive back Darryll Lewis pleaded no contest to charges in two cases, and was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
Lewis entered his no contest pleas to felony counts of evading arrest and possession of methamphetamine, and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent. He was immediately sentenced by Superior Court Judge Mark Grant Nelson.
The 37-year-old Lewis was arrested Nov. 7 after leading California Highway Patrol officers on a chase that began after he failed to pull over for an alleged carpool-lane violation.
After an officer used his squad car to spin Lewis' vehicle around, officers tried to corner him but he drove away. The car was stopped again outside Lewis' parents' home in West Covina. Television footage showed Lewis dragging five officers as they attempted to subdue him. The officers finally forced him to the ground and arrested him.
Lewis was arrested again three weeks later for allegedly taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and obstructing an officer. He had been free on $85,000 bond after his first arrest, but it was raised to $500,000 after the second arrest.
Lewis, who attended the University of Arizona, was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers, playing with them from 1991-98. He also played with the San Diego Chargers in 1999-00 and finished his career with the Denver Broncos, who released him in 2001. He played in the Pro Bowl after the 1995 season.
