Former NFL Defensive Back Darren Sharper Faces Two Rape Charges in Los Angeles, CA … NFL Network Suspends Sharper

38 year old former NFL defensive back Darren Sharper was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of rape in Los Angeles, California. According to LAPD’s ‘s sexual assault section of its robbery-homicide unit, Sharper has been “linked to two sexual assaults in West Los Angeles” that allegedly happened in October 2013 and this month. Sharper was freed from jail after posting a $200,000 bond. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department web site shows that Sharper was arrested and booked Friday on a felony charge.  He faces a February 14 court appearance. Darren Sharper is  also being investigated for a sexual assault that allegedly happened in New Orleans on September 24, 2013.

Darren Sharper – Facebook

Sharper, 38, was arrested Friday afternoon by the Los Angeles Police Department’s sexual assault section of its robbery-homicide unit, according to LAPD spokeswoman Sally Madera.

The Miami Beach, Florida, resident has been “linked to two sexual assaults in west Los Angeles” that allegedly happened in October 2013 and this month, an LAPD news release said.

Madera said the charges concern California Penal Code 261(A)(30). The code section involves a rape “where a person is prevented from resisting by any intoxicating or anesthetic substance, or any controlled substance, and this condition was known, or reasonably should have been known by the accused.”

The NFL network  has suspended analyst Darren Sharper without pay in the wake of the arrest.

“Darren has been suspended without pay until further notice, effective immediately,” said Alex Riethmiller, a spokesman for NFL Network.

Other troubles for for Sharper in New Orleans, NOPD confirms local sex assault probe.

In New Orleans, police said they received a report of sexual assault on Sept. 24, and the case remains open. Sharper, 38, who lives in Miami, has not been arrested or charged in that probe.

“As with every case alleging sexual assault, information gathered is extremely sensitive, and the top priority of the detectives is to protect the person who filed the complaint,” NOPD spokeswoman Remi Braden said in a written statement. “Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot provide additional information at this time.”

NOPD referred the case to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office for review. “That case is presently under investigation by our office, and pursuant to office policy, we don’t comment on open investigations,” said Assistant District Attorney Christopher Bowman, the office spokesman.