FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- A former Miami Hurricanes and Minnesota Vikings running back pleaded guilty to federal charges that he distributed cocaine through a drug ring and possessed thousands of dollars in counterfeit bills.

James Stewart, who led Miami in rushing in 1993 and played one season for the Vikings, faces up to 60 years in prison and a $2.2 million fine when he's sentenced in October. His attorney, Albert Levin, said Tuesday that he believes the sentence will be about five years.

Stewart, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he supplied cocaine for sellers in a local drug network, at one time getting about $23,000 to buy one kilogram or 2.2 pounds of cocaine for the organization, according to an August indictment. An undercover agent bought a single crack rock in May 2001 and connected it to Stewart and 13 others using court-ordered wiretaps.

Stewart was indicted on the counterfeit currency charge in April 2002 after officers found four bundles of counterfeit bills totaling $11,000 in his car during a routine traffic stop.

Stewart rushed for 604 yards and five touchdowns on 105 carries for the Hurricanes in 1993 and was involved with a police anti-drug program at local schools, according to the team's media guide.

The Vikings drafted him in the fifth round in 1995, and he played one season, gaining 144 yards on 31 carries. He was released after breaking his left leg.