Monday, May 6, 1996

Report: Irvin made drug buy weeks after charge from motel raid

DALLAS (AP) - Michael Irvin, the Dallas Cowboys star under felony indictment, bought cocaine before and after the charges stemming from a motel raid where drugs were seized, according to a broadcast report.

Fort Worth television station KXAS reported Sunday night that Irvin paid $100 for drugs two days before his April 1 felony indictment in connection with seizure of cocaine and marijuana at the Irving motel room.

Another drug buy two weeks later was also detailed in the report, accompanied by a videotape clandestinely placed in the back seat of a vehicle in which Irvin was riding.

The attorney representing Irvin in the trial due to begin June 24 denied the allegations, saying a thorough statement would be issued today. The TV station also said it would have more details of its investigation.

A prosecutor said Sunday that his office may subpoena videotapes from the television station.
"We'll look into this," First Assistant District Attorney Norman Kinne told The Dallas Morning News. "This kind of show is making it more and more difficult for Mr. Irvin to get a fair trial in Dallas."

Identified only as "Dennis", Irvin's self-described security adviser and friend drove the All-Pro receiver to an Irving apartment complex where he bought what the associate described as about a half-ounce of cocaine from a woman.

"She's got much coke," Irvin said after showing the associate a bag which "Dennis" described as containing cocaine. "She's got some on a plate."

Asked if he was certain cocaine was in the bag, the informant told the station, "I didn't test it when I was sitting there. But he told me it was cocaine and there's no reason for me not to believe him. I don't think he'd go up there just to buy a bag full of white powder."

The informant and Irvin joked about the Valley Ranch area's "red light district" because the drug's seller had a red light in her apartment window.

"I didn't see anything on that television report," said Irvin's attorney, Kevin Clancy. "Just a lot of innuendo, muckraking and yellow journalism. But what of substance did we see? Nothing."

The TV station did not immediately respond.

Irvin's agent, Steve Endicott, declined to comment today to The Associated Press. Irvin has repeatedly said he does not have a drug problem.

A self-described right-hand man of Irvin with a background in law enforcement and security work, the informant said he has known the player for several years. Hidden cameras showed the man with Irvin near a Valley Ranch sports bar the night an Irving man accused the player of assaulting him and also recorded the trips to buy drugs.

A 28-year-old man filed a civil lawsuit against Irvin after accusing the Cowboys receiver of assaulting him near the bar.

On the first alleged drug trip, Dennis told KXAS-TV he and Irvin drove to a Valley Ranch area apartment complex and he watched the player make a drug purchase from a man who handed narcotics through a car window.

The Cowboys' headquarters is in Valley Ranch.

"He came out to the car, leaned inside, handed Mike the coke, he handed him a hundred bucks and that was it," said Dennis. "We started talking. I asked, 'Why are you doing this? You know, why are we doing this?'

"He says, 'It's the devil. It's the devil and the women,' " Dennis said, adding Irvin told him he could not stop the purchases.

Irvin's associate told the station the player gave the drugs to two women. The associate said he then drove the player to Valley Ranch, where he worked out.

Dennis said Irvin purchased more cocaine two weeks later, , returning to his car with a baggie and talking with a fan through the vehicle's window as he held the narcotics in his left hand.

"He told me just to wait in the car because he was going to be real quick," the confidant-turned-informant told KXAS.

The videotape showed Irvin returning to the car, but Dennis said instead of letting him drive off, Irvin wanted to remain and talk to fans. A woman and her son, who could be heard but not seen on the tape, spoke with the Cowboys receiver.

"Little man knows something. What you know, little champ?" Irvin asked the boy. The boy replied, "I want to be like you."

Irvin is heard telling the woman: "They say kids know more than we know. Because they're pure. Pure in the mind and pure in the heart."

Irvin then said to the boy, "So see, you know I'm a good man, huh?"

Irvin told them, "Forget what they say, huh? That's all right."

The informant said he wanted to leave the area immediately following the drug purchase.

"That is what was strange," he said. "That is why I wanted to get out of there. We are stopping and talking. He had just purchased cocaine. It was in his left hand, the cocaine was."

After the motel raid, Irvin was indicted along with topless dancers Angela Beck, 22, and Jasmine Nabwangu, 21. The women were with Irvin and former Cowboys tight end Alfredo Roberts in the motel room when police officers raided it March 4.

The indictment charged Irvin with felony possession of four or more grams of cocaine and misdemeanor marijuana possession. The two women, one a Canadian and now the target of a deportation proceeding, also were indicted on drug charges. Roberts was not charged.

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