Former NFL safety Darren Sharper faces federal charges after details came to light that he distributed drugs with the intent to commit rape in Las Vegas.
A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana on Friday charged Sharper with one count of conspiracy to distribute Alprazolam, Diazepam and Zolpidem with intent to commit rape and two counts of actually distributing the drugs with intent to commit rape.
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Former St. Bernard Deputy Sherriff Brandon Licciardi had the same charges brought against him, along with two counts of witness tampering and one count of impeding an investigation. Sharper, Licciardi and New Orleans waiter Erik Nunez were all charged with various rapes and assaults earlier this year.
Federal investigators and pre-trial services staff at a hearing in Licciardi's case on Thursday recalled details of what Licciardi, Nunez and Sharper did to drug the women, according to Nola.com.
FBI Special Agent Robert Blythe testified that Licciardi referred to a convention in Las Vegas attended by NFL players. Licciardi was warned by a player that the drinks, referred to as "the potion" and "horny juice," were spiked with drugs.
Licciardi also reportedly has text messages from Sharper in which Sharper allegedly refers to drugging a woman. Blythe testified that Licciardi received a text from Sharper that read, "She's on the potion. She's ready."
FBI Special Agent DeWayne Horner also testified that Sharper placed huge bets on football and baseball. Sharper met a bookmaker in St. Bernard through Licciardi but was eventually referred to "Russians" in California, since they were more accustomed to handling larger bets. Sharper reportedly lost $25,000 to the Russians but didn't pay.
"They'll get your address and they will come kill you," the bookie said he warned Licciardi. The bookie told Horner that Licciardi didn't seem to care.
Each charge brought to Sharper by the Grand Jury carries a 20-year sentence. Combined with the two counts of aggravated rape and one count of simple rape, Sharper could be looking at life in prison.