Serial Rapist Darren Sharper Sentenced to 20 Years in Los Angeles
The NFL has faced quite a few controversies on and off the field, but Darren Sharper's crimes are among the most deplorable the NFL has seen. The former NFL player took a plea deal last year. Since his crimes occurred in multiple jurisdictions, each state's court has issued a different sentence, all of which will be served concurrently.
Most recently, a 20 year sentence was handed down in a Los Angeles courtroom, of which Sharper may only serve half. Earlier, he was sentenced by a Louisiana federal judge to 18 years, but this decision is being appealed. If the appeal is unsuccessful, Sharper may be looking at the full 18 year term behind bars.
Crime and Punishment
Sharper was arrested in 2014 and charged with multiple counts of drugging women so that he could rape them. After the first few women came forward, it was discovered that Sharper had done the same thing all over the country while working as an analyst for the NFL. Three more states then filed charges against him. At this point, Sharper has pled guilty or no contest in every case.
On top of the prison sentences, after Sharper's release, he will be facing lifetime parole, sex offender registration, a prohibition against visiting bars, drinking alcohol, using the internet for sexual gratification, and, potentially one of the strangest sounding conditions of release: penile plethysmograph testing. This last condition, reserved for sex offenders, would require Sharper to be subject to testing where a device is used to measure his physical response to sexual pictures that are shown to him during the test. This type of testing is used in the treatment and management of current, former, or potential sex offenders.
Additionally, it is unlikely that Sharper will ever work for the NFL again. When anyone associated with the league gets in legal trouble, there are concerns over public perception. As soon as the charges against Sharper became known, the NFL terminated his contract so as to show the public that they do not condone the conduct.
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