Texas Tech DB Sanders arrested, faces two cocaine charges

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech reserve defensive back De'Shon Sanders was arrested early Thursday morning on two cocaine-related charges.

Sanders was arrested in downtown Lubbock about 1:30 a.m., Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman David Ausiello said. The player was charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, according to a federal indictment filed in New Mexico.

The indictment alleges Sanders and others "known and unknown to the grand jury" committed the offenses in June in Lea County, N.M., where Sanders' hometown of Hobbs is located. Sanders consented to a search of his room in an off-campus apartment in Lubbock, but no drugs were found, Ausiello said.

If convicted, Sanders would face a minimum 10-year sentence, Ausiello said. Sanders was being held in the Lubbock County Jail, a jail official said. Information on an attorney for Sanders wasn't immediately available.

Sanders is a junior who transferred to Texas Tech from City College of San Francisco, a junior college. He played in all 12 games for the No. 8 Red Raiders (11-1) but had just four tackles. He isn't listed on the two-deep roster.

Texas Tech spokesman Chris Cook said the school didn't have confirmation of the arrest and had no comment. Coach Mike Leach was out of town and couldn't immediately be reached on his cell phone.