Could it be that Darren Sharper, the charismatic former NFL safety, was a serial rapist? As bizarre as that might seem, law enforcement officials around the country are painting an ugly picture of the former Pro Bowl player.
NBC News reported that Sharper turned himself in to police late Thursday night in Los Angeles, after a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier in the day in New Orleans.
An acquaintance of Sharper’s, Erik Nunez, also is facing two charges of aggravated rape in the incident, which police in Louisiana said occurred at an apartment on Sept. 23, 2013. Nunez was booked on two counts of rape Friday morning in New Orleans.
Earlier this month, Sharper was charged with seven felonies in Los Angeles related to cases in which he is accused of drugging and raping two women he met at nightclubs. He pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Sharper also is under investigation in sexual assault cases in Florida, Nevada and Arizona.
If convicted in California, Sharper could face more than 30 years in state prison. If convicted of aggravated rape in Louisiana, both Sharper, 38, and Nunez, 26, would face life imprisonment.
Sharper was selected All-Pro six times and chosen for the Pro Bowl five times. He played in two Super Bowls, one with the Green Bay Packers as a rookie and a second with the New Orleans Saints. He retired after the 2010 season, having played 14 years in the NFL, and is an analyst for NFL Network, which has suspended him indefinitely without pay.