Two A&M players face felony charges for alleged mugging of drug deal

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Two Texas A&M football players accused of tying up and mugging a drug dealer at gunpoint have been indicted on felony robbery charges.

Yemi Babalola and Brandon Joiner were indicted Thursday on two counts each of aggravated robbery, the district attorney's office said.

Joiner was also indicted on one felony count of manufacturing or delivering methamphetamine and two misdemeanor counts of possessing marijuana and hydrocodone, according to the prosecutor's office. Babalola also faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.

Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.

Neither man had an attorney listed in his court file, and The Associated Press could not find home telephone numbers for them. Neither immediately returned e-mail messages seeking comment.

Both players have been suspended pending the outcome of their cases.

The indictments were first reported by the Bryan-College Station Eagle.

According to the police statement, one resident suffered minor injuries in the alleged home invasion at the Callaway Villas Apartments on Nov. 29. Police said two men entered the apartment, one carrying a semiautomatic pistol.

The investigation led to searches of both suspects' homes, where drugs -- marijuana, ecstasy and hydrocodone -- and other evidence were found, the police said.

The 21-year-old Babalola, a 315-pound offensive tackle, played in nine games last season, including six starts. He was suspended indefinitely and did not play in the Aggies' 24-17 loss to Penn State in the Alamo Bowl.

Joiner, an 18-year-old freshman defensive end from Killeen, redshirted last season. He was also suspended indefinitely from team activities.

Texas A&M sports information director Alan Cannon said Friday the indictment has not affected the players' status.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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