Sports Criminal Headlines Week of 3/24/2010

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings lineman Kevin Williams says he never would have taken a weight-loss supplement two years ago had he known it contained a substance banned by the NFL.

Williams and teammate Pat Williams are testifying in a Minneapolis courtroom this week. They have sued the NFL over its anti-doping policy, which resulted in positive tests for both of them during training camp in 2008.

ATLANTA -- A high-profile defense attorney hired by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Monday disputed a college student's claim that the two-time Super Bowl winner sexually assaulted her at a Georgia nightclub.

The 20-year-old told police Roethlisberger, who had been out barhopping with friends, assaulted her early Friday. Roethlisberger has not been charged.

NEW YORK -- Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum wouldn't comment directly Monday about reports the team is helping Antonio Cromartie with his paternity payments, but said they're working with him to "give him his best chance to be successful." NFL Network first reported Saturday that the Jets were advancing their newly acquired cornerback $500,000 to help clear up paternity issues.

The 25-year-old Cromartie has fathered seven children by six women in five states. He has a court date scheduled for later this month in California.

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who helped lead the Ducks to the Pac-10 Conference title and a Rose Bowl berth last season, faces a burglary charge in connection with a theft at a campus fraternity house in late January.

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon running back LaMichael James is scheduled to appear Friday at a change-of-plea hearing on domestic violence charges. James previously pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of menacing, strangulation and assault. A woman who says she is James' girlfriend says he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument outside his apartment on Feb. 15.

MARIETTA, Ga. -- Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, who had been in the suburban Atlanta area to help celebrate his parents' anniversary, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and released from jail a few hours later, officials said Monday. Brown's mother, Joyce Brown, told the Associated Press in a phone interview on Monday her son was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal, but believes he was targeted because he was driving a high-priced car and is black.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Former Michigan State running back Glenn Winston has been sentenced to 180 days in jail and a year of probation for his role in a Nov. 22 fight with members of a campus fraternity.

The sentence handed down Monday for assault and battery, and conspiracy to commit assault will allow Winston to be released to attend school.

Winston is one of 11 current or former Spartans players to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges in connection with the on-campus fight. Ten have been sentenced.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis must vacate its record 38-win men's basketball season from 2007-08 after the NCAA rejected its appeal. The NCAA announced Monday that its Infractions Appeal Committee ruled against Memphis, which was found to have used an ineligible player, believed to be Derrick Rose. The Tigers lost in overtime to Kansas in the national title game that season.