Wesleyan football player pleads guilty to drug dealing

(AP) — A Wesleyan University football player pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges that he distributed a synthetic drug to fellow members of his team.

Welch, a defensive back for the Connecticut school's football team, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance.

"Too many young people believe synthetic drugs are harmless party drugs when, as this case makes abundantly clear, they are highly dangerous," Deirdre M. Daly, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said in a statement.

Authorities discovered that Welch had been distributing the drug to teammates since August or September, first in liquid form mixed with a non-alcoholic drink and later as a powder in capsules, according to an affidavit.