Judge rejects plea deal in ex-NFL star Sharper’s rape case

His attorneys declined comment as they left the courtroom.

Former NFL safety Darren Sharper’s plea deal in relation to multiple drugging and rape charges was rejected by a federal judge Thursday.

Sharper entered a guilty plea in late May of 2015 as part of a “global deal” to resolve the charges that he had drugged and raped nine women in four states between August 2013 and January 2014.

U.S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Trish Milazzo thought that punishment did not go far enough. As part of a series of plea agreements previous year, he pleaded guilty or no contest to charges in Louisiana, Arizona, California and Nevada. A federal judge rejected a plea deal Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, in the rape case against the former National Football League star, saying the possible nine-year sentence doesn’t reflect the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

Sharper’s attorney Kyle Schonekas said Sharper would consider withdrawing the guilty plea before his March 3 sentencing hearing.

A federal probation report recommended a prison sentence of about 15 to 20 years, alleging that 16 victims had come forward with allegations against Sharper.

“The whole linchpin if he got through today, if got through his sentence in front of Judge Milazzo, he was going to serve his sentence in federal prison”, said Donald “Chick” Foret, WWL-TV legal analyst, as opposed to serving time in much harsher prisons such as Angola in Louisiana. He played in two Super Bowls, one with the Packers as a rookie and one with New Orleans Saints when they won in 2010. It is unclear how a change in Sharper’s plea deal could affect their trial.

He ended a 14-year career in 2011.