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Ex-NFL Player Darren Sharper Pleads Guilty in Federal Sexual Assault Case

Former New Orleans Saints football player Darren Sharper has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from allegations he drugged and assaulted women in four states.

Sharper, wearing an orange jumpsuit while his hands and feet were shackled, pleaded guilty to three counts related to distributing drugs with intent to commit rape.

Under the plea agreement outlined Friday in a New Orleans courthouse, Sharper would serve nine years in prison.

The judge now has to decide whether to accept the plea agreement. The next hearing in the case is set for Aug. 20.

Sharper has already pleaded guilty or no contest to charges in Nevada, Arizona and California to similar charges.

Sharper is no longer facing rape charges in a Miami Beach incident, as the charges were dropped earlier this month due to lack of evidence. The decision to not charge Sharper came because the alleged victim didn’t file a complaint until over three months after the alleged incident last fall, according to a report from USA Today.

The case could be restarted in Miami, but only if new evidence was found.

Sharper was part of the New Orleans Saints' 2010 Super Bowl victory.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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