Federal Drug Charges For Tattoo Parlor Owner

Federal prosecutors have filed money laundering and drug trafficking charges against the Columbus tattoo parlor owner who reportedly bought memorabilia from several Ohio State football players. The federal drug case against Edward Rife caught the nation's attention in December when Ohio State suspended five players for selling memorabilia to Rife, and trading items for tattoos. It later came to light that head coach Jim Tressel had received emails warning of the drug investigation and the player's dealings with Rife, but did not tell the university or the NCAA. The documents filed in U.S. District Court on Friday indicate Riffe will plead guilty to money laundering and possessing and planning to distribute more than 200 pounds of marijuana. No one from Ohio State has been named in any criminal activity, although Tressell and five players have been suspended for the first five games of next season.