Thursday, July 18, 1996
Valley Merchant Pulls Irvin Souvenirs
By Associated Press
HARLINGEN, Texas (AP) - A South Texas sports store owner has
pulled Michael Irvin merchandise from the shelves, saying to
continue selling the souvenirs is "sending the wrong message."
"I'm angry," Frank Montalvo, owner of Sports Collectibles
in Harlingen's Valle Vista Mall, told the Valley Morning Star
in Wednesday editions.
"I think Michael Irvin should be made an example of, and
that would deter other people from using drugs. Now kids are
going to be able to say to their parents, 'Michael got away with
it.' "
Irvin was sentenced Tuesday to four years' probation and fined
$10,000 after pleading no contest to a felony cocaine possession
charge. The Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver also was ordered
to perform 800 hours of community service.
Montalvo criticized the sentence as too light.
"They are saying it's OK to do drugs. I'm shocked,"
he said.
Other Valley sporting goods merchants said they haven't stopped
selling Irvin merchandise but that they don't plan to order anything
new.
"We haven't pulled the souvenirs off the shelves, but we
have stopped ordering Michael Irvin souvenirs," said David
Spencer, owner of Dave & Alex's Sports Card and Gift Shop
in McAllen.
"We are finding parents don't allow their kids to buy Irvin
souvenirs."
All content copyright 1996, AP, The Abilene
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