Former Raider Barnwell Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Possession

Malcolm Barnwell, a former wide receiver with the Raiders and Washington Redskins, pleaded guilty in Richmond, Va., Tuesday to possession of cocaine, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Barnwell, 28, entered his plea in Henrico County Circuit Court wearing the diamond-studded Super Bowl rings he earned for playing with the Oakland Raiders in 1980 and Los Angeles Raiders in 1984. He is free on $5,000 bond until sentencing Oct. 7.

He was arrested June 3 when police went to his hotel room to serve two warrants on unrelated charges. Investigator J.B. Hill said police found about 3.5 grams of cocaine valued at about $400 and a plastic amusement park admission card coated with white powder.

The Raiders traded Barnwell to Washington after the ’84 season, and he was released by the Redskins last season. He was then signed by the New Orleans Saints but released in December.

His attorney, Leonard Lambert, said that Barnwell was not involved with drugs during his football career.