National Football League

Ex-NFL star Darren Sharper to face rape charges next month

Published Jan. 27, 2015 1:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

LOS ANGELES (AP) A preliminary hearing for former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Sharper on charges that he drugged and raped two women he met at a West Hollywood nightclub has been tentatively set for Feb. 17.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge set the new hearing date Tuesday after meeting privately with prosecutors and defense lawyers.

Sharper says he agrees with the delay.

Judge Michael Pastor says the hearing was postponed because of scheduling and evidence issues that he didn't explain.

Sharper has pleaded not guilty to giving women drugs and raping them while they were unconscious. He's been in custody since February.

Sharper faces similar charges in Arizona and Louisiana, and federal authorities have ordered the Los Angeles sheriff to turn him over to U.S. marshals in New Orleans by Feb. 23.