Mike Perlstein and WWLTV.com Staff

NEW ORLEANS — Former Saints player Darren Sharper has been indicted by an Orleans Parish grand jury on two counts of aggravated rape. Alleged accomplices, Erik Nunez and St. Bernard Parish deputy Brandon Licciardi, were also indicted by the grand jury.

All face possible life sentences for aggravated rape charges after Friday's indictment. The indictment stems from a New Orleans Police Department arrest warrant in connection with an alleged incident in September 2013.

Sharper's bail is set at $2.5 million for two aggravated rape charges and one simple rape charge. He was also indicted in federal court on drug charges related to the rape accusations.

An initial police incident report said an alleged rape happened at 701 Tchoupitoulas Street in the Warehouse District on September 23, 2013, at 10 a.m. Later, police said a second victim claimed she was raped by both Sharper and Nunez in the same apartment as the first victim on September 23.

The indictment included a new rape charge by a new victim on different date, which adds to the allegations against Sharper. Licciardi also faces human trafficking charges.

As for Licciardi's connection: Previously, investigators had looked into telephone text messages and images Sharper and Licciardi exchanged around the time a woman accused Sharper of rape. Licciardi was removed from regular patrol duties and placed on desk duty by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office announced that Licciardi resigned the same day he was indicted.

Sharper, who remains in a Los Angeles jail, has been indicted for rape in three states: Louisiana, Arizona and California. He is being held without bond in Los Angeles County jail as he awaits trial on two rape charges there. He also has been formally charged in two rapes in Tempe, Ariz.

The 38-year-old Sharper spent 14 years in the NFL as a safety. He played for three teams: the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings and then the Saints. He was a five-time Pro-Bowl selection. Sharper was part of the Saints Super Bowl championship team in 2009. Following his second year with Saints in 2010, Sharper announced his retirement.

Mike Perlstein writes for WWL-TV, a Gannett affiliate

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