Darren Sharper, the former National Football League champion convicted of serial rape, has officially registered as a sex offender in his home state of Virginia. This registration follows his transfer from a federal prison to a halfway house in the US, marking a significant step towards the completion of his sentence.
Sharper, aged 50, was moved on 27 May from a federal correctional institution in Ohio to a residential re-entry facility, commonly known as a halfway house, in Newport News, Virginia. The US Bureau of Prisons (BoP) confirmed the transfer, which falls under the jurisdiction of their Baltimore office, covering areas including Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. His registration as a sex offender with the Virginia state police occurred on 1 June, a mandatory requirement upon his release from prison.
The former defensive star pleaded guilty or no contest in 2015 and 2016 to multiple state-level charges of drugging and raping women in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Tempe, Arizona. He also admitted to federal charges of conspiring to carry out these crimes. In August 2016, a US district judge sentenced Sharper to 18 years in prison, with credit for time already served since his initial arrest in February 2014.
Individuals serving federal prison sentences can often become eligible for release after completing approximately 85% of their term, a percentage that can be further reduced by participating in specific programmes while incarcerated. Sharper's legal team had previously stated in court documents that he had been a "model inmate," undertaking various educational classes during his imprisonment. The move to a halfway house is a clear indicator that he is nearing the end of his sentence, with a projected release date of 2028.
While residing in a halfway house, individuals are generally expected to seek employment and may be permitted to use a vehicle or mobile phone for work-related purposes. They can also be granted recreational passes, or in some cases, moved to home confinement. The case against Sharper and his two co-defendants, Erik Nunez and Brandon Licciardi, who have since completed their sentences, garnered extensive media attention during its progression.
Sharper enjoyed a distinguished NFL career, winning a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in 2010 before retiring. He was known for his exceptional performance, leading the NFL in interceptions during his final season and setting a record for interception return yards. During his sentencing hearing, Sharper expressed regret, stating, "I'm still trying to figure out why I made some of these choices. I lived my life right for 38 years, then I took this path."
Source: US Bureau of Prisons, Virginia State Police