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Patrick Heron (born 1969) is a former Philadelphia police officer who was arrested and charged with multiple sexual crimes in 2022. He is accused of sexually assaulting and abusing at least 48 women and girls, including some as young as 10 years old. Heron allegedly used his position as a police officer to gain the trust of his victims and to intimidate them from coming forward.

Heron was arrested in September 2022 after a months-long investigation by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. He was charged with over 200 counts of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and kidnapping. Heron was released on bail, but he was arrested again in June 2023 after additional charges were filed against him.

Heron's case has shocked and outraged the Philadelphia community. Many people are questioning how Heron was able to get away with his crimes for so long, and why he was not held accountable by the Philadelphia Police Department.

Heron's trial is scheduled to begin in 2024. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Personal life
Early life and career

Patrick Heron was born and raised in Philadelphia. He joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1991 and served as a patrol officer in the Kensington neighborhood. Heron was promoted to detective in 2005 and was assigned to the Special Victims Unit, which investigates sex crimes against children.

Allegations of sexual abuse

In 2022, several women and girls came forward to accuse Heron of sexual assault and abuse. The allegations spanned over a decade, from 2005 to 2019.

One of the alleged victims told investigators that Heron sexually assaulted her in the back of his police cruiser in 2010. Another alleged victim said that Heron groomed her and sexually abused her for several years, starting when she was 10 years old.

Heron is also accused of using his position as a police officer to intimidate his victims and to prevent them from coming forward. One alleged victim said that Heron threatened to arrest her father if she told anyone about the abuse.

Arrest and trial

Heron was arrested in September 2022 and charged with over 200 counts of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and kidnapping. He was released on bail, but he was arrested again in June 2023 after additional charges were filed against him.

Heron's trial is scheduled to begin in 2024. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Impact on the Philadelphia community

Heron's case has shocked and outraged the Philadelphia community. Many people are questioning how Heron was able to get away with his crimes for so long, and why he was not held accountable by the Philadelphia Police Department.

Heron's case has also raised concerns about the safety of women and girls in Philadelphia. Some women have said that they are afraid to trust police officers, and that they are worried about being sexually assaulted.

The Philadelphia Police Department has said that it is committed to investigating all allegations of sexual misconduct against its officers. The department has also said that it is working to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for women and girls.