Former Oklahoma City Police Officer Daniel Holtzclaw Receives Guilty Verdict

On Thursday night, Former Oklahoma City Police Officer Daniel Holtzclaw was found guilty of 18 charges, including four counts of first degree rape.

The jury concluded that Holtzclaw had abused his athority as a police officer to coerce his victims during their assaults and to prevent them from coming forwards after the fact. He was also found to have targets victims–such as minority women who were drug users and prostitutes– who both the court and society as a whole would have doubted.

He was also found guilty of six counts of sexual battery, three counts of lewd exhibition, four counts of forcible oral sodomy and one count of second degree rape.

Holtzclaw played linebacker at Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a degree in criminal law. He attempted to play in the NFL, but never saw any action; he then joined the Oklahoma City Police Department.

In total, the jury recommended a total of 263 years in prison. His final sentencing will take place in January.

Photo: Daniel Holtzclaw of the Detroit Lions poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Article by Joe Kozlowski