Montana Judge Goes Easy on Ryan Leaf - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

New Information

Montana Judge Goes Easy on Ryan Leaf

Updated:
Ryan Leaf appeared before a judge for sentencing in Montana on Tuesday. Ryan Leaf appeared before a judge for sentencing in Montana on Tuesday.

Ryan Leaf got yet another chance to rebuild his reputation Tuesday, as a judge in Montana sentenced the former Washington State and NFL quarterback to undergo further treatment for drug addiction.

Leaf will do no jail time, but will spend nine months of lockdown addiction treatment at a facility in Lewistown, Montana. After that, he will stay in a pre-release center. If all goes well there, he would be eligible for monitored release and have the entire sentenced completed in 15 months.

The former WSU quarterback said in court Tuesday that he was humiliated and embarrassed, and that jail had been "a sanctuary" since his arrest in April.

Leaf admitted to breaking into a house in Montana on April 1. He also admitted he had illegally possessed the painkiller oxycodone. He pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of criminal possession of a dangerous drug, and Grant County prosecutors agreed to dismiss two other counts.

The Washington Post reported that investigators began looking into Leaf after postal workers tipped them off about Leaf receiving frequent packages and paying more than $500 each for delivery.

Leaf will also have to answer to justice in Texas, where prosecutors are looking into whether they should pull his probation sentence from a 2010 plea deal for similar crimes. A formal request for extradition could be filed as early as Wednesday to force Leaf to appear before a judge in Texas.

  • Washington St.Washington State

  • Friday, May 24 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:46:12 GMT
    Five Washington State University track competitors advanced out of the first round Thursday at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin.
    Five Washington State University track competitors advanced out of the first round Thursday at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:58:02 GMT
    Washington State University football signed safety Paris Taylor to a Financial Aid Agreement, head coach Mike Leach announced Tuesday.
    Washington State University football signed safety Paris Taylor to a Financial Aid Agreement, head coach Mike Leach announced Tuesday.
  • A bases loaded to walk to Adam Nelubowich in the eighth inning lifted Washington State over Portland 1-0 in nonconference baseball at Gesa Stadium, Monday.
    A bases loaded to walk to Adam Nelubowich in the eighth inning lifted Washington State over Portland 1-0 in nonconference baseball at Gesa Stadium, Monday.