Man Found Guilty of Extorting Beanie Wells After Botched Drug Deal

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Franklin Conley was found guilty Monday of trying to extort former Ohio State and NFL running back Beanie Wells following a failed drug deal reportedly involving Wells' brother. 

Eric Heisig of Cleveland.com reported a jury convicted Conley of "Hobbs Act extortion, three counts use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense and one count interstate communication with intent to extort."

Wells denied any role in the alleged drug deal despite claims by Conley's attorney that he was involved. The former Arizona Cardinal testified that he received threats from Conley, 28, spanning several months seeking between $65,000 and $175,000 before he contacted the FBI, according to the report.

Heisig also noted federal prosecutors stated the contact between Conley and co-defendant Patrick Griffin, who pleaded guilty in the case in December, and Wells began after Wells' brother allegedly set up a drug deal in which the defendants were scammed.

The Associated Press added that the retired player isn't charged with any crimes.

Wells was part of three Big Ten championship teams at Ohio State.

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The Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2009 draft. He played four years with the team before being released. Wells suffered an Achilles tear during a workout with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

He's currently a radio host on WBNS' The Buckeye Show in Columbus, Ohio.

Heisig reported Conley will be sentenced for the charges on Sept. 29.