‘Pacman’ Jones is victim of alleged extortion scheme

Adam “Pacman” Jones paid “extortion” money to a 29-year-old man arrested for a Las Vegas strip club shooting that left a club employee paralyzed, police said.

Arvin Kenti Edwards, of Renton, Wash., allegedly used go-betweens to reach Jones, who paid $15,000 in two installments after the shooting, according to a police report obtained Monday.

“He paid $15,000 to his friends, who advised him that if he didn’t pay the money then this guy would come after him,” said Robert Langford, Jones’ lawyer in Las Vegas.

Jones, 24, went to Seattle on Friday and picked Edwards from a police lineup, Langford said. He said Jones identified Edwards as the man who opened fire with a handgun a little before 5 a.m. Feb. 19, 2007, outside the strip club during the NBA’s All-Star weekend.

Las Vegas police said Jones met briefly with Edwards after a brawl led Jones and his entourage to be ejected from the Minxx strip club several blocks off the Las Vegas Strip. The two men parted, according to witnesses, and shots were fired moments later toward the club.

About a week later, someone began contacting Jones by telephone seeking money for “services rendered,” according to the police report filed to obtain Edwards’ arrest warrant.

Police alleged in the documents that one of the go-betweens told Jones that if he refused to pay, the accused shooter would “go after Jones, his mother and daughter.”

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Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Rocky Bernard was arrested in Seattle after a woman told police he hit her at a downtown nightclub. Bernard was being held without bail pending a preliminary hearing today. He is in the final year of a three-year, $13-million contract extension

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Indianapolis Colts running back Kenton Keith was arrested after refusing to leave an Indianapolis nightclub parking lot that was being cleared by police.

He was released on his own recognizance, and his initial hearing is set for Wednesday.

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Offensive tackle Max Starks, a backup for most of last season, will return to Pittsburgh after signing a one-year tender offer worth $6.9 million. . . . Cincinnati linebacker Odell Thurman was reinstated from an NFL suspension after sitting out the last two seasons because of violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

HORSE RACING

Prado, five others elected to Hall of Fame

Edgar Prado, who rode Barbaro to his Kentucky Derby triumph two years ago, and two-time Derby-winning trainer Carl Nafzger are among six new members of the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame at Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The horses Inside Information, Manila and Ancient Title were elected. Induction ceremonies are Aug. 4.

The Historic Review Committee elected jockey Ismael Valenzuela.

BASKETBALL

USC’s Gibson delays decision about NBA

USC sophomore forward Taj Gibson has delayed a trip home to Brooklyn, N.Y., to discuss with his family his decision on whether to declare for the NBA draft because of a death in the family, his mother, Sharon Gibson, said.

Gibson’s great-uncle recently died, Sharon Gibson said. Taj Gibson has until Sunday to declare for the draft and could delay his decision until the deadline, his mother said.

-- Ben Bolch

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Arizona State assistant Mark Phelps was hired as Drake’s men’s coach, replacing Keno Davis. Phelps’ hiring came less than a week after Davis took the Providence job. School officials said Phelps was their top choice.

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Ohio State freshman center Kosta Koufos will declare for the NBA draft but will not immediately sign with an agent, the school said.

MISCELLANY

UFC’s Liddell has a torn right hamstring

Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight Chuck Liddell suffered a torn right hamstring in training this month, and has withdrawn from his upcoming match with Rashad Evans in London on June 7.

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Senior catcher Perelini Koria of San Pedro High set the softball state record for home runs by hitting her 39th and 40th in a 10-0 Marine League victory over Gardena. Jennifer Lizama of Oakland Bishop O’Dowd hit 38 from 1993 to 1996.

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Tenth-seeded Carlos Moya was upset, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, by Sam Querrey in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters at Monaco.

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Arkansas track and field Coach John McDonnell, 69, who has led the Razorbacks to 42 national and 83 conference titles, will retire at the end of the outdoor season. McDonnell has won more national championships than any collegiate coach in any sport.