RICHMOND, Virginia (CNN) -- NFL star Michael Vick was given until 9 a.m. ET Friday to accept a plea deal that would require him to spend at least one year in prison on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, reports say.
NFL star Michael Vick after a court appearance last month.
Vick's acceptance of the recommendation, described by The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Virginia, must receive court approval.
The deadline comes as two of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's co-defendants pleaded guilty on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges in their own plea deals, according to CNN affiliate WSB.
If the 27-year-old Vick rejects the deal, he will face an additional charge under the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, a source with knowledge of the investigation told the newspaper.
According to the source, who requested anonymity, conviction under that charge would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The new charge would be considered by a grand jury that convenes Monday.
Federal judges rely largely on congressional guidelines for sentencing.
Separately, the National Football League was trying to determine Vick's professional fate. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has barred Vick from playing with the Falcons until the investigation is finished. The league could suspend him for up to a year.
Vick, of Newport News, Virginia, signed a 10-year, $130 million contract with the team in 2004. He was a standout at Virginia Tech and was the first player chosen in the 2001 NFL draft.
A federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, charged Vick and three co-defendants in mid-July with organizing fights between pit bulls on property Vick bought in 2001, and transporting and delivering dogs across state lines. Both are conspiracy counts.
Prosecutors said the maximum punishment for conviction on both counts is six years in prison and fines of up to $350,000.
Another defendant admitted guilt and took a plea earlier.
Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, and Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Virginia on Friday.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/08/17/vick/index.html
looks like it's decision time for vick.
