Former NFL safety Darren Sharper plead not guilty Monday to charges in New Orleans that he drugged women with the intent to rape them, despite having already plead guilty to similar charges in three states, according to a Reuters report.
The 39-year-old Sharper has already pleaded guilty to related charges in Arizona, California and Nevada as he attempted to reach plea bargains prosecutors estimate will result in an approximately nine-year prison sentence.
Last month, Sharper plead guilty to charges of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault in Arizona, sexual assault in Nevada and pleaded no contest to two counts of rape by use of drugs and four counts of furnishing a controlled substance in California.
Sharper also faces three federal counts of drugging women in Louisiana with the intent to rape them.
"His not guilty plea before a federal magistrate judge was a formality, a spokeswoman for the New Orleans-based U.S. Attorney's Office said, adding that he may change it at a later date," according to Reuters.
Sharper, who appeared in court today in an orange prison jumpsuit and sandals and wearing shackles, has also been charged locally with drugging and sexually assaulting two New Orleans women.
Local New Orleans prosecutors say that Sharper has reached a plea deal to settle the Louisiana case.
Sharper, a five-time Pro Bowler, played for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints during his NFL career. He aided New Orleans in reaching a Super Bowl victory in 2010.
