Ex-officer sentenced to 15 to 40 years after guilty pleas in sex assault cases

PHILADELPHIA — A former Philadelphia police officer has been sentenced to 15 to 40 years in state jail after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting girls and women — regularly whilst in uniform and in the again of his police car.

Patrick Heron, 54, entered the pleas Friday after achieving an settlement with prosecutors in advance of a tribulation on greater than 200 counts that incorporated kid sex assault, kid pornography, kidnapping and similar offenses, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Jane Roh, spokesperson for the district lawyer’s place of work, stated sufferers who at the moment are spared the trauma of a tribulation welcomed the guilty plea. Defense lawyer Anthony List additionally stated he was hoping the plea would spare the sufferers the anguish of getting to testify, and added “hopefully everyone can move on.”

Heron, who retired from the power in 2019, was once to begin with accused final yr of posing as an energetic officer to entice ladies. Investigators stated they later discovered footage and movies indicating predatory habits spanning years and together with dozens of regularly inclined younger girls and women together with those that had run away, been arrested or struggled with habit.

Lyandra Retacco, leader of the prosecutors’ particular investigations unit, stated the crimes passed off from 2005 thru final yr, and Heron met many sufferers whilst at the power. She stated investigators have recognized 48 sufferers, despite the fact that many in their identities stay unknown, and much more likely have not come ahead.