Possible Consequences of Plea Deal or Trial in Spring Break Cocaine Incident Involving Army Football

[ArmyRedLeg]

Drug Dealer in the Spring Break cocaine incident has a change of plea hearing set for 10amET Thursday, Dec 29th. If a deal is not struck, there will likely be a trial. I have a few points on why having a plea deal and avoiding trial could be important to Army Football / West Point. This is all theoretical.
1) Framing of the defense could center on how the drug dealer is actually an amateur / recreational cocaine user and that he was pressured by the Army cadets to sell the cocaine. Such an argument could be reinforced by the persistent text message exchanges and verbal testimony of their in-person interactions.
2) Drug Dealer could argue he was worried about the Army cadets retaliating against him if he did not sell them the cocaine
3) Defense could argue Army FB leadership has a history of enabling players with substance abuse problems
4) Defense could request all digital comms on the incident between Supe /AD / HC / OC / PR and other staff relating the incident
5) Defense witness list could include current and former cadets, WP leadership, and FB leadership

[ArmyRedLeg]

Good news. Drug Dealer has pled guilty to two counts. Count 1 was reduced - no serious bodily harm. He still faces a max of 20 years for both counts, but they can run concurrently. A sentencing hearing is set for 3/3/2023 at 10:00 AM. I'm mildly curious about what the ultimate punishment will be / what was traded.

In any event, seems like good news for everyone involved- and, as far as the courts go, this appears to be over.