WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, November 29, 2016 Darren Sharper, 41, former NFL safety and football broadcaster was formally sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading no contest for the drugging and rape of two women he met at the West Hollywood nightclub Bootsy Bellows, as part of a plea agreement. The separate incidents occurred in October 2013 and January 2014.
Sharper had been prosecuted in four states including California, Nevada, Louisiana, and Arizona for sexual-related crimes including rape and the distribution of drugs with the intent of aiding in rape.
Both women from the October 2013 incident were friends who met Sharper at the West Hollywood bar. They stopped by his hotel, after he invited both of them up to his room. He offered them a drink shot and each passed out. When the women awoke hours later on January 15, 2014, one suspected she had been sexually assaulted and left the hotel seeking medical treatment.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, Sharper and the jury heard statements from two of his victims’ on how the incidents affected their lives. One of the victims explaining the loss of her sister to cancer in the months after she was drugged.
“What he did to me has left me feeling worthless and as if my life had no meaning,” said Jane Doe #2 during a victim impact statement in the courtroom.
“When I think back to that night I wonder what he could have done to me,” said Jane Doe #4 during a press conference with attorney Gloria Allred. Jane Doe #4 was drugged by Sharper, but not raped.
“Were it not for the courage of all of the victims who reported Sharper’s crimes against them to law enforcement, Mr. Sharper would be free today to continue drugging and raping women,” stated Allred during a press conference on Tuesday.
“I woke up on a bed. My clothes were on. I felt heavy. My body was heavy. There was blood coming out of my nose and my mouth. I was terrified. I didn’t know where I was or what had happened. Did I almost just die?” stated Jane Doe #4.
“I can only imagine myself lying there like a vegetable while he took advantage of my body without my permission. I have lost every bit of self confidence I’ve ever had and am always in fear while alone. It doesn’t matter whether it’s day or night, I can see a guy and automatically in my head think, ‘What if this guy tries to rape me?’” stated one of Sharper’s victims during her victim impact statement.
Sharper has already served 2 years in prison for his crimes. He will serve 8 years before possibly being put on parole at the half-way mark of his sentence, per California’s sentencing laws.
Sharper who has already served 2 years in prison for his crimes, will serve 8 years before he could be granted parole after serving more than half of his 20 year sentence, per California’s sentencing laws. During his NFL career, Sharper played for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, before taking a position as a sports analyst for the NFL Network. He was fired from the network in February 2014.
Written By Ashley Le Mieux and Casey Jacobs
