WVU football player sentenced on drug charge

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- A West Virginia football player charged in a drug case has been sentenced to two years of probation.

Senior linebacker John Holmes of Rockledge, Fla., was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Monongalia County Circuit Judge Russell Clawges suspended a six-month jail sentence pending completion of the probation period.

Holmes must perform 200 hours of community service and submit to random drug testing. He cannot use drugs or alcohol and must attend school full-time or get a full-time job.

He must also undergo a substance abuse assessment at the county's Day Report Center, and pay a $500 fine, court costs and probation and community corrections fees.

Holmes and teammates Ed Collington and James Ingram were arrested in February after the vehicle they were in was pulled over for speeding. A strong smell of marijuana inside the vehicle prompted a search.

All three were kicked off the team by coach Bill Stewart after their arrests, but Holmes was later reinstated.

Ingram, a former defensive lineman, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and conspiracy to possess marijuana in May and is awaiting sentencing. Collington, a former running back, was indicted in May for possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a felony. His case is pending.