Darren Sharper was a Packer, back when he was also a decent human being. Darren Sharper was then a Viking, and then a Saint. He even, unfortunately, won a Super Bowl as a Saint.
But Darren Sharper is not a saint nor a decent human being. Darren Sharper is a serial rapist, and he is going to admit as much as part of a global plea deal in exchange for getting off easy for his many crimes.
Anyone who remembers Darren Sharper knows how stunning and tragic this story is. Sharper is an attractive, intelligent, and rich former pro athlete. In other words, Sharper has no problem getting with women. In fact, it is unlikely that Sharper would have any issue getting with multiple women. However, that isn’t how Darren Sharper likes it. Sharper wants his women unconscious and helpless and unable to consent. Of course, that happens to be highly illegal.
Like most serial criminals, Sharper’s MO was consistent. He would meet women out clubbing, usually two at a time. He would suggest his place or theirs, probably by offering drugs as an incentive to party. He would then drug the women and have his way with them. Sharper’s galavanting rape tour passed through Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Phoenix.
The tour bus hit a speed bump when rape charges surfaced from New Orleans and Los Angeles. However, the victims usually had little memory of the crime, and Sharper and his lawyer maintained his innocence.
That story fell apart with new charges filed in Phoenix. As it turns out, in that city, Sharper’s own brashness did him in. Following his normal routine of picking up two women while clubbing and going back to their place, Sharper’s designs hit a snag when the roommate of the two women showed up. No problem. Sharper drugged her too. Except it didn’t totally take. The roommate woke up early and witnessed Sharper assaulting one of her roommates. She also kept the drink Sharper gave her and brought it to the police. The drugs Sharper used to subdue his victims was detected in the glass. Now, Sharper was in deep shit.
Sharper surrendered to Los Angeles authorities and was imprisoned there. While still in prison, new charges were filed against him from two women he raped in Las Vegas. The new charges promptly brought about a plea. His acceptance of the global plea agreement will end the investigation against him in all four states and keep him in prison.
According to the Nevada prosecutor, Sharper is facing between 3 and 8 years, which essentially amounts to one year per woman raped. The fact that prosecution would agree to that says a lot about the strength of their case or the victims’ willingness to recount the crime. Regardless, I suppose that saves four states a lot of time and money so at least there is that.
Let’s all hope to never hear from Sharper again.