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Ex-49ers running back sentenced to prison for role in drug trafficking ring

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Ex-49ers running back Derek Loville was sentenced to 15 months prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation, according to Kristina Davis of the San Diego Tribune.

Loville received a supply of ecstasy and oxycodone – of which he was a small-time dealer of – from an offshore gambling and drug trafficking empire that was run by former USC football player Owen Hanson.

In January 2016, Loville was part of a group of 22 people indicted as part of an international drug trafficking, sports gambling and money laundering ring.

Loville, living in Scottsdale, reportedly distributed these drugs in Arizona. According to the San Diego Union Tribune report, a search of Loville’s phone after his arrest showed that one of the people he had sold to, talked about having purchased 100 pills at a time from Loville.

It’s a far fall for Loville, who had a nine-year NFL career that spanned from 1990-1999, playing for the Seattle Seahawks, 49ers and Denver Broncos. Loville won three Super Bowl championships in his career – in 1994 with the 49ers and 1997 and 1998 with the Broncos. He experienced the best season of his career in 1995, leading the 49ers in rushing with 723 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 662 receiving yards.

Loville’s defense attorney Francisco Sanchez wrote in a sentencing memo that the NFL left a lasting impact on Loville, whose career was filled with concussions, joint injuries and fractures. Sanchez said that Loville now deals with conditions such as migraines, depression and memory loss, and turned to medical marijuana and painkillers to help with his pain.

Five months ago, Loville plead guilty for his involvement in the ring. Given his low-level role in the operation – and perhaps cooperation with the prosecution, although the extent is unknown – Loville was given 15 months prison time, along with a small fine of $5,000.