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Disturbing details emerge in hearing for deputy charged in Darren Sharper rape case

Liz O. Baylen-Los Angeles Times / Reuters

A hearing for the former Sheriff's deputy charged with slipping drugs to women that former NFL safety Darren Sharper is accused of raping revealed disturbing details in the cases against both men.

Former deputy Brandon Licciardi told investigators he was at a Las Vegas convention attended by NFL players, and was warned by a player that drinks had been spiked with drugs, FBI special agent Robert Blythe testified, according to Andy Grimm of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

When questioned by Licciardi's lawyer, Blythe declined to name the player who spoke, or any of the other players in attendance.

"It's possible I could mess it up. There are a couple (names)," Blythe said.

Licciardi admitted to investigators that he didn't warn Las Vegas police of the alleged drugging. Blythe said the other players aren't under investigation at this time.

"There could be investigations going forward. There's not currently," Bythe said. "If given time, I intend to look into those allegations."

When asked by assistant attorney Mark Miller what the other players referred to the drugged cocktails as, Blythe replied, "I believe Mr. Licciardi called it 'horny juice.'"

Blythe testified that Licciardi was worried investigators might find incriminating text messages on his phone, including one in which Sharper allegedly spoke about drugging a woman.

"She's on the potion. She's ready," the text said, according to Blythe.

Sharper was indicted Dec. 12 by a grand jury on two counts of aggravated rape stemming from accusations that he sexually assaulted two impaired women at his New Orleans apartment on Sept. 23, 2013. 

Licciardi faces counts of battery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated rape and human trafficking in state court, and counts of distributing drugs used in rapes and witness tampering in federal court.

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