A judge released a former hero Philadelphia police officer who once pleaded guilty to charges he drugged and assaulted two alleged prostitutes after dropping some of the most serious charges against the fallen hero.
Richard DeCoatsworth, 28, who once faced a $10 million bail on serious charges, was released on his own recognizance Monday morning after a judge tossed out sex crime charges.
"After an intense follow up investigation by the District Attorney's Office it was determined there was not enough evidence to proceed to trial with the trafficking and sex crime charges against this defendant," said a statement from DA Seth Williams' office.
The domestic violence case continues against DeCoatsworth with the next court hearing set for next month, said court officials.
After DeCoatsworth removed his earlier guilty plea earlier this year, his then defense attorney Charles Peruto Jr. said that his client -- against attorney advice -- wanted to go to trial on the original charges against him.
The disgraced former officer had earlier pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution, simple assault and a drug charge. In exchange, prosecutors had dropped a long list of more serious charges including rape and making terroristic threats.
DeCoatsworth faced counts including rape, assault case, false imprisonment, firearms and drug charges after he allegedly made two women take drugs and perform oral sex on him at gunpoint. The 28-year-old was also charged with assaulting his live-in girlfriend in an incident on May 9.
"When you're charged with a million crimes that will give you a million years and you're offered a sweetheart deal, a lot of people will take it," Peruto said. "This guy doesn't want a deal. He wants his day in court and I can't blame him. He doesn't want to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit."
Attorney Lloyd Perry now represents DeCoatsworth, according to court filings. Parry successfully petitioned Monday to have his client's cellphone records entered in court.
According to an earlier indictment, DeCoatsworth allegedly forced a woman into prostitution at a Days Inn motel in the Lawncrest section of Philadelphia in May of last year. Lawyers later argued that cellphone conversations would reveal the true nature of the relationship between DeCoatsworth and the woman.
DeCoatsworth was shot in the face during a September 2007 traffic stop. After being shot, he chased the suspect for some time before collapsing. Police say he was able to radio enough information about the shooter for other officers to nab him.
He was honored for his heroism in 2008 with a Top Cop award and sat next to First Lady Michelle Obama during President Barack Obama’s first address to congress at the U.S. Capitol.
His reign as a top cop began to unravel in the coming years. The city has already spent at least $1.5 million defending itself against DeCoatsworth's checkered past in the department including a couple alleged violent incidents.
DeCoatsworth left the Philadelphia Police force on disability in December 2011.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia
Photo Credit: NBC10.com
