Paralyzed man gets prison sentence for running drug ring

CLEVELAND (AP) — A man paralyzed from a 2011 shooting and previously convicted of extorting a former NFL player has been sentenced to 17 ½ years in federal prison for running a drug ring that brought narcotics to Ohio from California.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports 31-year-old Patrick Griffin’s attorney sought a lesser sentence for him Tuesday in Cleveland. U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughn (gon) said Griffin was given his chance when he received one year of house arrest in 2016 for trying to extort money from former Ohio State and NFL running back Christopher “Beanie” Wells.

Griffin, of Akron, pleaded guilty to drug-related charges in February.

A message seeking comment was left with Griffin’s attorney.

As a 2-year-old, Griffin’s father shot his mother and paralyzed her while Griffin sat on her lap.

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Information from: Akron Beacon Journal, http://www.ohio.com