New Orleans police issue arrest warrant for Darren Sharper, friend
New Orleans police have obtained an arrest warrant for former NFL football player Darren Sharper, who is already charged with drugging and sexually assaulting two women in Los Angeles and raping two others in New Orleans.
In addition to Sharper, detectives and investigators with the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office obtained an arrest warrant for 26-year-old Eric Nunez, described as an acquaintance of the former football player.
Sharper is now accused of raping at least eight woman and committing a sexual battery against a woman in Miami.
New Orleans police had previously said they were investigating at least one rape allegation against Sharper.
Authorities revealed that detectives had learned that two woman were allegedly assaulted by Sharper, both on the night of Sept. 23.
“New information uncovered also indicates that Nunez allegedly raped both women at the same location,” said Remi Braden, a department spokeswoman.
In issuing a statement Thursday, the department noted that the crime of aggravated rape carried a potential life sentence of hard labor.
Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Sharper with two counts of rape and five other drug charges in connection with two incidents in October and January. He is being investigated in Las Vegas; Tempe, Ariz.; and another in New Orleans.
Sharper, 38, who has pleaded not guilty, was ordered to surrender his passport, stay in Los Angeles and avoid all women. He is free on $1-million bail.
“We look forward to the true facts being revealed in this case and we are hopeful that Mr. Sharper will be fully exonerated before this case is concluded,” Blair Berk, one of Sharper’s attorneys, has said.
Court documents allege a disturbing pattern in the incidents, which occurred between Sept. 22 and Jan. 15.
Victims reported meeting the five-time Pro Bowl player -- usually at a nightclub -- then going back to his hotel room or home.
Sharper allegedly offered the women shots to drink, after which they reported immediately blacking out. Many of the women woke up with little or no memory of what happened after the drinks, but felt as though they had been sexually assaulted, authorities said.
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