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FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2014, file photo, former NFL safety Darren Sharper appears in Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles. Sharper is moving closer to resolving charges that he drugged and sexually assaulted women in four states. Sharper faces at least nine years in prison after having pleaded guilty or no-contest to charges that he distributed drugs with the intent to commit rape in Nevada, Arizona and California. He previously pleaded not guilty in New Orleans, but is set to change that plea Friday morning, May 29, 2015, in federal court. (Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

Former NFL star Darren Sharper pleads guilty in federal sexual assault case

NEW ORLEANS – Former New Orleans Saints football player Darren Sharper has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from allegations he drugged and assaulted women in four states.

Sharper, wearing an orange jumpsuit while his hands and feet were shackled, pleaded guilty to three counts related to distributing drugs with intent to commit rape.

Under the plea agreement outlined Friday in a New Orleans courthouse, Sharper would serve nine years in prison.

The judge now has to decide whether to accept the plea agreement. The next hearing in the case is set for Aug. 20.

Sharper has already pleaded guilty or no contest to charges in Nevada, Arizona and California to similar charges.

Sharper was part of the New Orleans Saints’ 2010 Super Bowl victory.

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