Former NFL receiver Sam Hurd reportedly is preparing to plead guilty to his drug conspiracy charge. Attorney Jay Ethington told WFAA-TV that Hurd will make the guilty plea Thursday on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine. His trial is scheduled to begin Monday in Dallas. Ethington also told The Chicago Tribune that a "plea of guilty is in the works." Ethington told WFAA-TV that his client faces a sentence of five years to life in prison. He also said the judge could put Hurd on probation. The Chicago Tribune reported that Hurd also faces a $10 million fine. In September, prosecutors filed documents that said Hurd would plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, but Ethington said at the time that the documents were filed prematurely and negotiations on a plea were still ongoing. Hurd was first arrested in December 2011 outside a Chicago-area steakhouse after agents alleged that he accepted cocaine from an undercover agent and was accused of trying to set up a ring to distribute cocaine and marijuana. According to court documents, Hurd took 1 kilogram -- 2.2 pounds -- of cocaine and told the officer he wanted to eventually buy 5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area. He was a member of the Chicago Bears at the time of the arrest but was released soon after. He also has played for the Dallas Cowboys. Read more http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9155153/sam-hurd-plead-guilty-drug-charge-report
