AKRON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio jury has found a 28-year-old man guilty of trying to extort money from former Ohio State star and NFL player Christopher “Beanie” Wells in a botched drug deal.
Cleveland.com reports jurors in Akron on Monday convicted Franklin Conley, who had denied prosecutors’ claims that he tried to extort $65,000 from the former Arizona Cardinals running back.
Wells testified during the trial, denying Conley’s allegations that he was tied up in drug dealing.
Federal prosecutors say Conley threatened violence toward Wells and his family if he didn’t pay between $65,000 and $175,000. They say Conley and a co-defendant went after Wells after Wells’ brother set up a drug deal where they lost money.
Wells was released by the Cardinals in 2013, and now hosts a radio show in Columbus.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.