Darren Lewis, Texas A&M's all-time leading rusher, facing 25-30 years in prison
Darren Lewis, Texas A&M’s all-time rushing leader, has pleaded guilty to federal charges in relation to several armed robberies in Texas that date back to October 2012. He is facing “between 25 and 30 years behind bars.”
According to the Dallas Morning News, Lewis drove the getaway car in an incident where a man named Christopher Washington walked into a hotel in DeSoto, Texas, pointed a gun at the clerk behind the counter and escaped with stolen cash.
Washington and Lewis pulled off the same heist a week later. Lewis also pleaded guilty to robbing a 7-Eleven in Dallas in January 2013. He tried the same thing a night later, but was arrested.
Per the Morning News:
He’s admitted to grabbing a candy bar off the shelf, then pointing a silver handgun at the clerk, who turned over what was in the register. The very next night, Lewis tried the same thing at a Duncanville 7-Eleven, and landed in the DeSoto City Jail. That time, police say, he actually fired his weapon, striking the clerk in the thigh.
In total, Lewis pleaded guilty to “three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm.” He faces sentencing on Sept. 25. Additionally, Lewis faces three counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon for the 7-Eleven robberies and another incident at CVS in Dallas.
Lewis, who played for the Aggies from 1987-1990, finished his career with 5,012 rushing yards, including 27 100-yard performances and five 200-yard games. Before the 1991 NFL draft, Lewis tested positive for cocaine. He dropped from a probable first-round pick all the way to the sixth round, where he was selected by the Chicago Bears.
After three seasons where he ran for a total of 431 yards, Lewis was cut by the Bears. Because of cocaine, per the Morning News, Lewis has “lost everything – his pro-ball career, his house, and his marriage."
He was previously arrested and convicted in 2005 on robbery charges and served jail time. Another robbery in 2006 sent Lewis to state prison, where he was incarcerated until 2010.
For more Texas A&M news, visit AggieYell.com.
- - - - - - -
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
