Man who tried to extort from ex-NFL player Wells gets prison

AKRON, Ohio (AP) A man convicted of trying to extort money from former Ohio State University and NFL player Christopher ''Beanie'' Wells has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison.

Twenty-eight-year-old Franklin Conley was sentenced Monday and convicted of extortion-related charges earlier this year.

A message left with Conley's attorney wasn't immediately returned Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Conley and 29-year-old Patrick Griffin threatened to kill Wells and his family if they didn't pay at least $65,000 or introduce the men to a drug supplier. The men claimed they'd previously paid Wells and his brother to arrange a drug deal. Wells denied that allegation at Conley's trial.

Griffin pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to a year of house arrest.

Wells played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He was released in 2013.