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Ex-NFL player Caldwell admits to federal drug charge

 
Former University of Florida wide receiver Donald Reche Caldwell could spend as long as 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tampa to possessing with intent to distribute ethylone, a street drug commonly marketed as "Molly. [Getty Images]
Former University of Florida wide receiver Donald Reche Caldwell could spend as long as 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tampa to possessing with intent to distribute ethylone, a street drug commonly marketed as "Molly. [Getty Images]
Published Oct. 1, 2014

TAMPA — Former University of Florida wide receiver Donald Reche Caldwell spent six seasons in the NFL.

Now he could spend as long as 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tampa to possessing with intent to distribute ethylone, a street drug commonly marketed as "Molly." A sentencing date has not been set.

On May 13, he accepted a parcel with 1.5 kilograms of ethylone mailed from China, according to a signed plea agreement. On May 19, investigators intercepted a second parcel in Atlanta, containing 1 kilogram of ethylone, and learned that Caldwell had mailed it from Tampa.

Caldwell, 35, has played for the San Diego Chargers, the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins and is the older brother of Andre Caldwell, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos.

He was arrested on drug charges twice this year and was also among eight men accused of organizing an illegal gambling enterprise.