Darren Sharper Likely to Serve 15-20 Years in Prison in Rape, Drug Case

Darren Sharper's revised plea agreement will see the former NFL player and convicted rapist likely serve 15.5 to 20 years in prison, according to Ken Daley of NOLA.com. 

Sharper, who either drugged or sexually assaulted nine different women across four states, pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible rape and one count of simple rape in Louisiana in June 2015.

Sharper's original plea agreement required him to serve nine years in prison, but last month, U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo deemed that agreement too lenient, noting that federal guidelines called for a sentence of 15 to 20 years.

Milazzo accepted Sharper's new plea agreement Tuesday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McMahon said the government might recommend leniency in Sharper's June sentencing if he's cooperative during the trial of his alleged conspirators, Brandon Licciardi and Erik Nunez, per Daley.

"Mr. Sharper has agreed to cooperate," McMahon said Tuesday. "We may bring to the attention of the court his cooperation, if we deem that to be substantial. We are not bound to make such a notice to the court. That's going to be within our discretion. No promises have been made, but the possibility is there."

Sharper, 40, had a 14-year career in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. He won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints and was a five-time Pro Bowler.