Philadelphia Cop Accused of Sexually Assaulting at Least 30 Women in His Squad Car

A former Philadelphia police officer is accused of sexually assaulting as many as 48 women, and allegedly recording 30 sexual assaults in the backseat of his cruiser.

Patrick Heron appeared in court Monday as prosecutors submitted new videos, photos and witness interviews showing his alleged pattern of strategic sexual assault against vulnerable women and girls, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. 

The former police officer was arrested last year on a myriad of charges related to the sexual assault, harassment and retaliation against a lengthy list of victims. Heron retired in 2019, but prosecutors alleged he continued to pose as a police officer until 2022 to prey on victims.

In June, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office filed 19 additional criminal cases and 233 charges against Heron, bringing the total to 21 cases. On Monday, a judge granted prosecutors’ request to consolidate the high number of cases against the former law enforcement officer, CBS News Philadelphia reported.

According to prosecutors, there are 48 alleged victims, of which four are identified, the outlet reported.

Heron is accused of preying on women, including minors he met through his child, according to prosecutors. Among the over 200 charges filed against Heron include alleged sexual assault, child sexual abuse, kidnapping, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, stalking, child pornography and witness intimidation, the Inquirer reported.

Heron allegedly used his position as a police officer to prey on women and girls, according to prosecutors. At Monday’s court hearing, prosecutors showed a video taken in the back of Heron’s police cruiser that they allege showed Heron encouraging a young woman to use heroin, per the Inquirer.

“Finish that needle,” Heron reportedly said in the video. Lyandra Retacco, chief of the Special Investigations Unit of the District Attorney’s Office, alleged Heron then filmed himself assaulting the woman, who was unconscious.

Prosecutors accuse the former officer of engaging in his alleged pattern of sexual abuse and assault from 2005 until his arrest in 2022, the outlet reported. Investigators believe there may be more victims who have not come forward.