Former Philadelphia homicide detective sentenced for sexually assaulting witnesses, informants
12/19/2022 2:38 pm PST
PHILADELPHIA (TCD) -- A 56-year-old former homicide detective was recently sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting witnesses and informants during the course of his work.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philip Nordo, who was fired from the Philadelphia Police Department in 2017, was arrested for his crimes in 2019 and 2021.
Nordo had worked for the department for over 20 years, WCAU-TV reports. Nordo reportedly "groomed" male victims during ongoing investigations and made the men "more susceptible to his sexually assaultive and/ or coercive behavior."
According to WCAU, Nordo began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department in 1997 and was promoted to detective in 2002. During his time in the homicide unit, Nordo allegedly "used his position of authority" to intimidate, rape, assault, and bully men involved with his cases.
According to a report obtained by WCAU, Nordo asked when "homosexual inmates" were scheduled to be released "so he could have sex with them or sexually groom them."
He also allegedly volunteered to work closely with his victims and often targeted people who were handcuffed or shackled. Nordo would reportedly threaten his victims, showing his firearm. He would allegedly tell suspects that no one would believe their allegations against him.
On June 1, Nordo was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, official oppression, stalking, and other related charges after he abused three victims. The District Attorney’s Office announced that Nordo was also found guilty of theft by deception after he stole crime reward money in connection with the death of off-duty Philadelphia Police Officer Moses Walker. Nordo reportedly diverted the money to one of his victims and said that the victim helped him solve Walker’s murder case.
The Conviction Integrity Unit reportedly launched an investigation into 62 homicide convictions with which Nordo was involved.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, "Five people wrongfully convicted of homicide in 'Nordo-claim cases' have been exonerated; two convicted people received reduced sentences and charges; one person was granted a new trial and is awaiting retrial; and four defendants are awaiting judicial response after the CIU supported vacating their convictions."
The District Attorney’s Office also said, "One defendant’s appeal is pending after the CIU agreed to relief and a court denied a request for a new trial. One person wrongfully convicted of firearms offenses was exonerated in 2017 with support."
On Friday, Dec. 16, Nordo was sentenced to 24.5 to 49 years in prison, according to WCAU.
In a statement, District Attorney Larry Krasner said, "Mr. Nordo is now being held accountable for the many disturbing ways in which he abused his oath and his badge to hurt and threaten vulnerable young men. His actions undoubtedly destroyed trust between members of the public and law enforcement."
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