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LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- Utah State redshirt freshman Taylor Wallace has been charged with felony drug distribution and suspended from the football team.
Wallace was accused of providing marijuana to five teammates on July 22.
He was charged by the Cache County attorney's office on Tuesday with third-degree felony drug distribution, misdemeanor drug possession and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Third degree felonies are punishable by indeterminate sentences of zero to five years in prison. The pardons board determines the time served.
USU sports information director Mike Strauss said Wallace's attorney expects the felony to be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Wallace, Encino, Calif., has been suspended pending the outcome of the charges, coach Brent Guy said Wednesday.
Teammates Steven Downs, 19, Marcus Cross, 21, Kendall Fisher, 19, Brennan McFadden, 19, and Ryan Tonnemacher, 19, were charged earlier with class B misdemeanor marijuana possession.
Downs pleaded guilty last week and was fined $500. He was dropped from the squad last week for what Guy said were repeated violations of team rules.
The other four players pleaded guilty Tuesday, but their pleas will be held in abeyance pending six months of good behavior. On the team, they received internal discipline, Guy said.
Downs, a defensive lineman, faced a stiffer court penalty because it was his second offense, City Prosecutor Lee Edwards said.
Fall football practice started Wednesday in preparation for the season opener Sept. 2 at Wyoming.
Cross, a junior college transfer from Houston, is expected to significantly contribute to the Aggie offense at tailback this season. Tonnemacher and McFadden offensive linemen and Fisher is a freshman wide receiver.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-08-10-06 0308MDT
