L.T. Surrenders To Police

The Bergen County prosecutor's office will decide whether a drug case against former New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor should be presented to a grand jury.

Taylor turned himself in to Teaneck police Thursday to face charges of narcotics possession and possession of narcotics paraphernalia, Lt. Robert Wilson said Friday. Accompanied by a lawyer, Taylor was released on his own recognizance after posting a $2,500 bond.

"Everything went pretty smoothly," Wilson said.

The case will be referred to the prosecutor's office, which will decide whether to seek an indictment, Wilson said.

Taylor's latest legal troubles began Sept. 29 when police officers, acting on a tip, executed a search warrant on a room rented in Taylor's name at the GlenPointe Marriott hotel. Crack cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia were found there and seized. Taylor was not in the room.

Taylor, on the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, checked into a rehab center in the New York area in late October, a week after being arrested in Florida on crack cocaine charges.

At the time, Taylor's lawyer, Thomas Melani, said the former player could face prison time if he didn't seek immediate drug counseling.

The arrests could violate a plea agreement made last year after Taylor pleaded guilty to filing a false federal income tax return for not including $48,000 in income from a now-closed restaurant near Giants Stadium.

Prosecutors will decide whether Lawrence Taylor's case goes to a grand jury. (AP)

The maximum penalty facing Taylor was three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but he was expected to receive probation because he cooperated with feeral prosecutors.

Taylor, 39, has been in drug rehab several times, both while a player and after his retirement. His All-Pro career was marred by an NFL suspension for violating the league's drug abuse policy.

He was arrested Oct. 19 in a St. Pete Beach, Fla., motel room, where police said he tried to buy $50 worth of crack cocaine from an undercover officer. According to police, 15 crack pipes were inside the room.

Two years ago, Taylor was arrested in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where police said he tried to buy $100 worth of fake crack cocaine from an undercover officer.

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