RGV Capsules: Ex-Cowboys quarterback Carter a no-show in court

EDINBURG — Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter has landed in trouble with Hidalgo County authorities again.

A new warrant for his arrest was issued Tuesday after he failed to appear at two separate court hearings on charges of marijuana possession and driving while intoxicated.

But his attorney — Chris Weaver — said the 31-year-old may not have known his presence was required in court.

"He’s not intentionally missing them. He just doesn’t know," Weaver said. "We haven’t been able to talk to him in two weeks."

Carter was arrested Feb. 27, three days after arenafootball2 officials nixed a planned deal that brought the quarterback to play for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados.

State troopers pulled him over along Farm-to-Market Road 494 in Mission, when he allegedly failed to use his turn signal. According to court documents, Carter performed poorly on several field sobriety tests and registered a blood alcohol level of 0.14 – nearly twice the 0.08 legal limit. Investigators also found marijuana among his belongings after he was taken into custody, troopers said.

Since then, Carter had relocated to Abilene and signed on with the city’s Indoor Football League team — the Ruff Riders — but lost his position there earlier this month when didn’t show up to play in a crucial game.

Weaver said Tuesday he has not been able to contact with his client since his release from the team but that he hopes to have him back in the Valley to face a judge by next week.

"He would have been here if he knew," he said.

Carter — whose legal name is Lavonya Quintelle Carter — was cut by the Cowboys in 2004 amid numerous media reports that he failed a drug test. He started three games for the New York Jets the following season before entering the NFL’s substance abuse program.

He bounced from one minor team to another in his post-NFL career, leaving a string of run-ins with local law enforcement in his wake.

Police in Irving arrested Carter in December 2006 on marijuana possession charges. Less than one year later, he was busted again with pot while playing for the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings, another af2 team.

He arrived in the Valley in December to sign with the Dorados but the deal fell through two months later over eligibility issues. Less than one week later, he found himself in handcuffs again.

His latest stint with the Ruff Riders has also been plagued by problems. Taylor County sheriff’s deputies arrested him in May on a probation violation out of Dallas County. Coach Gerald Dockery fired Carter on July 4.

Carter’s attorney said Tuesday he hopes to have the current Hidalgo County arrest warrant withdrawn once the circumstances are explained to a judge. His outstanding DWI and marijuana possession charges are each punishable by up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 upon conviction.

Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437 or via e-mail at jroebuck@themonitor.com

HOCKEY

Bees snag goalie Franck, still hope for Rogers return

HIDALGO — Andy Franck gives the Killer Bees one of the CHL’s most experienced goalies. They still hope that one of their rookies from last year will join him to form what could be one of the league’s best tandems.

On Tuesday, the Bees announced the signing of Franck, a two-time CHL All-Star who spent last season with Oklahoma City and became a free agent when the Blazers ceased operations. Though Franck missed seven games with a groin injury he suffered Nov. 22, he still was chosen to be the CHL team’s starting goalie at last year’s All-Star Game against the host Colorado Eagles.

"(The Bees) had a solid year last year, and I know a lot of the guys will be coming back," Franck said. "I know they lost a few to other teams in Europe but the core of the team will be back, and it will be good to build on that and have guys that expect time there and have had time to gel there already."

One player the Bees haven’t lost yet from last year’s 35-24-5 team is goalie Wylie Rogers. Rogers, along with fellow rookie Christian Boucher, was part of a goalie combination that, despite its inexperience, was surprisingly solid and led the Bees to their best season. But because of his performance and youth, both Rogers and Boucher were expected to try to move up to another league.

While Boucher has already signed to play in the Netherlands, Rogers is still unsigned. Bees coach Chris Brooks is hopeful Rogers will return and pair up with Franck.

"I know he had a great experience in the Rio Grande Valley and he is excited about the team I’m putting together," Brooks said. "Hopefully we can work out a deal to have him come back. If I can’t, we’ll go onto Plan A, B, or C."

The Bees have already done that with other rookies from last year’s team, including Boucher and defenseman Nicolas Dumoulin, who signed in Germany. Forward Evan Rankin was also expected to try to move up but is still unsigned.

Brooks said the Franck signing shouldn’t be seen as a message to Rogers to make up his mind about returning.

"When guys are unsure … the thing is last year we had a large number of rookies, and I understand they want to chase their dreams and play at the highest level they can play at," Brooks said. "It’s my job to put together a team, and I make decisions based on guys not coming back.

"When Andy Franck came available and he had interest in coming to play for us, and I don’t take him and Wylie Rogers decides he’s going to play in Europe or the East Coast Hockey League, then I’m stuck without anybody," Brooks added. "And I’m not going to put myself in that situation."

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.

Baseball

Whitewings suffer eighth inning meltdown

LAREDO — The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings led 3-2 after seven innings, but Jesus Sanchez (3-1) gave up six runs (five earned) in the eighth to blow the save and lose to the Laredo Broncos 8-3 on Tuesday at Veterans Field.

Reymond Cruz started for the WhiteWings (22-24), giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out five in seven innings of work.

Sanchez took over in the eighth. Jaime Morales led off with a single. One out later, Luis Ugueto doubled and David Cardona was intentionally walked to load the bases. Mario Mendez followed with a two-run double. Argelis Nunez was intentionally walked to reload the bases. One out later, Andres Santos hit a three-run double and moved to second on the throw to the plate. OJ Garza reached on an error, allowing Santos to score to make it 8-3.

That made a winner of Julio Pinto (2-2), who threw a scoreless eighth inning for the Broncos.

The WhiteWings got on the board right away against Jeff Jamnik. Joaquin Rodriguez hit a one-out double and moved to third on a single by Rico Santana. Brian Nichols grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Rodriguez, making it 1-0.

Cruz retired the first six Broncos (16-30) he faced, striking out four. In the third, Garza and Morales singled and moved up on a sacrifice bunt. A passed ball scored Garza to make it 1-1.

That was it until the sixth. Santana led off with an infield-single and moved to second on a wild throw. One out later, Welinson Baez singled to moved Santana to third. With two outs, Baez and Santana pulled off a double-steal to make it 2-1 WhiteWings.

In the seventh, Agustin Septimo singled with two outs and scored on a double by Rodriguez to make it 3-1.

In the bottom of the inning, Mendez singled, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Luany Sanchez to make it 3-2.

The WhiteWings Broncos play the third game of the four-game series at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday. Right-hander Sendy Vasquez (1-3) is expected to face right-handed pitcher Gregorio Martinez (2-3).