Rams’ Henley a Subject of Drug Probe

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darryl Henley is under investigation by federal agents looking into a cocaine distribution network that supposedly used one of the team’s cheerleaders as a courier, The Times has learned.

Without specifying the nature of the investigation, team officials confirmed that a criminal investigation of Henley and an unidentified former Rams cheerleader has been underway for several months and that Henley has requested time away from the team pending the outcome of the probe.

Henley “never has and never will be involved with the use, sale or distribution of narcotics,” said Gerald L. Chaleff, a Los Angeles lawyer hired by Henley to represent him in dealing with federal law enforcement officials. “I don’t know what the government has in mind.”

In a prepared statement released late Monday, the team said: “We have been aware for some time of an ongoing law enforcement investigation involving various individuals, as well as Darryl Henley and a former Rams cheerleader.

“We have been assured that the investigation does not involve any other NFL player, or other club or league personnel,” the statement said. “The league’s security staff has been monitoring the matter and will continue to do so.”

A National Football League spokesman confirmed that the league is aware of an ongoing criminal investigation involving Henley and has pledged to cooperate with law enforcement officials.

John Shaw, the Rams’ executive vice president, attended a meeting Monday night with Henley and his agent, Marvin Demoff, as well as Chaleff and Roger Cossack, two criminal defense attorneys whom Henley has retained to represent him in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Chaleff said Henley has asked for “personal leave so he can have a chance to deal with this. He doesn’t want to disrupt the team.”

Henley, 26, is a fifth-year player out of UCLA and the team’s starting right cornerback. He has played in all five games this season, although his playing time was limited in the second game of the season because of a shoulder injury. He was an All-America selection in his senior year at UCLA and was a punt returner his first three years with the Rams.

The investigation of Henley centers on his suspected involvement in the distribution of 12 kilos of cocaine, which law enforcement officials estimate to have a street value of $2.4 million.

The cheerleader, who was reportedly dismissed by the team when it became aware of the investigation, supposedly carried the cocaine in a suitcase on two airline flights through Ontario International Airport at Henley’s request, sources said.

Sources said that four people have already been arrested in an alleged extortion plot against Henley in connection with the cocaine case. The four allegedly threatened to harm Henley and his family if he didn’t cooperate.

Ralph Lochridge, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, would neither confirm nor deny that the DEA was investigating Henley. But officials who asked that they not be named said the federal drug agency was heading up the investigation.

NFL security agents, who work for the league, have been seen talking with Henley several times this year at the team’s training camp at Cal State Fullerton and at the Rams’ practice facility in Anaheim.

“NFL security looks out for the integrity of the league and the welfare of the player, and we are monitoring the investigation,” said Joe Browne, an NFL spokesman in New York.

Henley was born in Waco, Tex., and attended Damien High School in La Verne in Los Angeles County. The 5-foot-9, 172-pound player was named a first-team All America during his senior year at UCLA after making 51 tackles and returning 21 punts for 279 yards and two touchdowns.

Last season was Henley’s best with the Rams--he had a career-high 68 tackles and four interceptions. In one game against the New York Giants, he made eight tackles. In five games this year, he has made 12 unassisted tackles and assisted on two others. Overall, he has started in 41 of 61 games for the Rams.

Team officials say his expected absence from the team during the criminal investigation will hurt the Rams, who are 2-3 so far this year. The team does not play this week and resumes action Oct. 14 against Atlanta.