BILLINGS, Mont. — Former NFL running back Travis Henry has pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine in a federal drug case that could land him in prison for 10 years or more.

Henry was arrested in Denver last October after authorities broke apart a drug ring that trafficked cocaine between Colorado and Montana. Henry was described as the "money guy" who helped finance the operation.

Appearing in federal court in Billings on Thursday, Henry, 30, admitted to a single count of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull accepted the guilty plea and set a July 15 sentencing date. Two other cocaine trafficking charges were dropped under the plea agreement.

Cebull allowed Henry to free on $400,000 bond so he can return to his home state of Florida, where he is embroiled in a child support case involving one of the nine children he fathered with nine different women.

Henry spoke only briefly during Thursday's hearing — acknowledging several instructions from the judge and stating that he first got involved in the cocaine ring in 2008.

Asked by Cebull about the nature of his crimes, Henry replied, "I was involved in an agreement with other people to possess and distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine."

He declined further comment after the hearing.

Although his conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, prosecutors said they will recommend the sentence be reduced if Henry completes a 500 hour drug treatment program.

The cocaine conspiracy conviction also carries a $4 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Cebull is not bound by the recommendations in the plea deal.

Henry, of Frostproof, Fla., was a standout at the University of Tennessee who played professionally for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos. He was cut from the Broncos last June, one year into a five-year, $22.5 million contract.

Since his arrest, Henry's financial troubles have prompted him to ask for reductions in his child support obligations to at least two of his children. One such request, in Georgia, was denied by a state judge in February.

A hearing in another child support case, in Polk County, Fla., is set for May 8.

His attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said Thursday that Henry recently sold his property in Colorado and will live in Florida until his July sentencing.