A new plea deal has been made by former National Football League (NFL) player Darren Sharper regarding his drug and sexual assault case. The plea was made with the federal prosecutors in New Orleans handling his case.
In a report by KOLO News Now, the court documents were filed on Wednesday but the details on the new agreement has not been released. The filing comes two weeks after a federal judge has rejected the deal presented earlier, which meant Sharper would have faced a nine-year sentence.
U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo rejected the deal on February 18, noting that the nine-year sentence was too light. The sentence should range from 15 to 20 years behind bars, ABC News reported.
Before being sentenced, the former NFL player was given the option of withdrawing his earlier guilty plea. Attorneys on both sides have agreed to delay the sentencing that was set this Thursday. They have cited that the delay will help the Court evaluate his cooperation in connection with the sentencing.
The supposed 15 to 20 years sentence could be reduced if Sharper will cooperate against the other two co-defendants. They have been identified as Brandon Licciardi, a former sheriff's deputy in the New Orleans suburb of St. Bernard Parish, and Erik Nunez.
Licciardi and Nunez both face charges involving distribution of drugs with intent to commit rape. Licciardi is charged with an additional witness tampering while Nunez also faces damaging a cellphone that is considered evidence in the case. A May 16 trial has been set.
Sharper has pleaded guilty or no-contest to state charges that he did drug and rape women in different states including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Louisiana. The charges include nine women but it is believed that there are as many as 16 victims. He has been in jail since February of 2014 after being arrested in Los Angeles, Sports Illustrated reported.
Sharper has played 14 seasons with the Packers, Vikings, and Saints in the NFL. He was also a five-time Pro Bowl defender and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection.
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