Former NFL safety Darren Sharper surrendered to authorities Thursday evening after New Orleans police issued a warrant for his arrest on two counts of aggravated rape, according to NBC News and other outlets.
Police say the New Orleans allegations stem from an incident in September 2013 involving two women. A 26 year old acquaintance of Sharper, Erik, faces the same two counts. Under Louisiana law, a conviction for aggravated rape carries a mandatory life sentence without parole.
The warrant comes after Sharper posted $200,000 bail in Los Angeles, where prosecutors earlier this month charged him with seven felonies in connection with two incidents involving women he is accused of drugging and assaulting after meeting them at nightclubs. Investigators have also looked into similar allegations in Arizona and Florida. It is not yet clear whether the New Orleans women are the same women who came forward earlier.
Sharper’s Los Angeles attorney, Blair Berk, said, “We are hopeful that Mr. Sharper will be fully exonerated when the true facts are revealed.” His New Orleans attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
These are allegations, and Sharper has not been convicted of any crime. We will update this story as the cases move forward.
