Former Washington Commanders athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion entered a deferred prosecution agreement at the U.S. District Court in Virginia stemming from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Under the agreement, the U.S. District Court released a statement of facts gathered from the 10-month investigation.
Vermillion avoids federal charges with any crime as long as he satisfies certain conditions over the next 12 months. He also must pay a $10,000 fine within eight months.
Last October, federal agents conducted a search warrant at the headquarters of the Washington Commanders in Loudoun County, Virginia as well as Vermillion’s nearby home. The Commanders placed Vermillion on administrative leave shortly afterwards.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera released a statement following Vermillion’s plea agreement.
“Ryan’s employment has been terminated. I want to emphasize that the U.S. Government confirmed from the outset that it viewed the organization as a witness, and not as a subject or target of the investigation.”
Among the facts released by the U.S. Attorneys Office obtained by Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Vermillion forged and obtain prescriptions to use on players that the medications wasn’t prescribed, such as oxycodone. Vermillion also stockpiled the oxycodone to use later.
He also brought prescription medicines to road games and gave them to players, which violated state laws and NFL policy, which says prescription medicines must be prescribed by a local doctor provided by the home team.
The NFL and NFLPA released a joint statement saying Vermillion has been indefinitely suspended by the league. He can apply for reinstatement after one year.
Additionally, the league and players’ union will conduct a joint investigation to determine if the Commanders complied with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, per the current collective bargaining agreement. The Commanders “have pledged their full support and cooperation.”
While Vermillion’s termination wasn’t confirmed on Friday, Washington replaced him with Al Bellamy as their new athletic trainer.
