New Bedford Bears: Sharik Mendes Will Not Coach Pop Warner This Season

New Bedford Pop Warner has made a decision.  Accused heroin distributor, Sharik Mendes, will not be allowed to coach this season.

A federal judge had given the green light to Mendes to coach in the Pop Warner program, as long as he informed the team's parents of his narcotics charges.  However, New Bedford Bears co-founder, Dan Conceicao, told 1420 WBSM that Mendes will not be allowed to return this season.

“He kind of expected it. I told him, its a tough thing for me to do, but I can’t sacrifice the program for any individual, no matter how close they are to me,” said Conceicao.

Mendes is expected to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin after waiving his right to an indictment. A plea hearing is scheduled for September 13 at U.S. District Court in Boston.

Prosecutors say Mendes supplied heroin to a local dealer who sold the drugs in New Bedford and Fall River.  He is the owner of the H.E.A.R.T. Boxing Gym in New Bedford, and played in the New Bedford Bears youth football organization when he was a child.