2 UA football players fail to enter a plea

In July, a Pima County grand jury indicted former UA starting safety Mikal Smith, 20, and reserve cornerback Leland Gayles, 20, on one felony count of fraudulent schemes and artifices.

Bobbie Summers, of the Pima County Attorney's office, said a court date will be set Monday for the player's next appearance, where they may plead to lesser charges.

Smith's attorney, Laura Udall did not return phone calls yesterday.

University of Arizona Police Department Sgt. Sal Celi said a plea bargain may include a request for a free talk with the defendants.

In return, prosecutors would not pursue Smith and Gayles on charges stemming from the information they may provide that could further the department's investigation, he said.

Celi said a plea bargain may allow them to plead to misdemeanor charges that would result in fines and probation but most likely no jail time.

University police arrested Smith and Gayles June 11 after police discovered the two athletes attempting to sell illegally obtained books to the Arizona Bookstore, 815 N. Park Ave.

Outside the store, police found 67 textbooks in the trunk of Gayle's car. Police suspect the books were purchased with stolen athletic department book vouchers or taken from McKale Center study areas then sold back to local stores for 50 percent their value, Celi said.

The Athletics Department provides books to all full-scholarship athletes at the beginning of each semester, and book vouchers are used when a student adds a class after the semester begins.

All books are property of the Athletics Department and must be returned at the end of each semester.

Smith has been suspended from the team indefinitely and Gayles may be eligible to return this season pending the outcome of his case.