Bond Reduced For OKC Officer Accused Of Sexual Assaults

An Oklahoma City police officer accused of sexually assaulting multiple women was arraigned on Wednesday. During the bond reduction hearing, the judge lowered the bond from $5 million to $500,000.

Daniel Holtzclaw, 28, is accused of sexually assaulting several women while he was on duty patrolling the streets.

The District Attorney has filed multiple charges against Holtzclaw. The charges include allegations of sexual battery, indecent exposure, first-degree burglary for entering one victim's home, oral sex, rape, stalking and intentionally touching a victim's body in a lewd and lascivious manner.

8/29/2014 Related Story: Charges Filed Against OKC Officer Accused Of Sexual Assaults

Holtzclaw said nothing as he went before the judge for his video arraignment on Wednesday.

Judge Henderson is the judge assigned to the case. September 18 is the date set for Holtzclaw's preliminary hearing.

The judge said Holtzclaw is entering a plea of not guilty.

A bond reduction hearing for Holtzclaw started just after 2 p.m. in Judge Henderson's court. Holtzclaw's attorney, Scott Adams, said Holtzclaw has no prior criminal background. He brought up Holtzclaw's athletic background and said he has family in law enforcement.

Adams said Holtzclaw's girlfriend of six months is willing to testify on his behalf, and that Holtzclaw is entitled to a reasonable bail.

Adams said Holtzclaw's father, who is an officer with the Enid police department, is here in Oklahoma City. The father offered to let Holtzclaw stay at their home in Enid, and also offered to have Holtzclaw wear a GPS device.

Adams asked for a bond of $100,000. He also asked for Holtzclaw to have a GPS device on him, and to have him stay at his parents' home in Enid.

Holtzclaw's father, Lt. Eric Holtzclaw took the stand in his defense. He testified his son has never been in trouble with the law in the past.

The father said his wife would be home full time. He said he is concerned about his son's safety due to the nationwide media frenzy with this case and that is why he wants him home in Enid with family.

Dave Rothenberg, who is with an Enid a newspaper, covered him during his time in Michigan playing football. Rothenberg testified he reported on players during games and practices. He testified he had no reason to check with Eastern Michigan State to see if Holtzclaw had any sexual assault allegations against him there. Rothenberg testified, "There was never a hint of anything improper."

Tyler Grey, friend for 15 years with Daniel Holtzclaw, said he lived with him during his time at the Oklahoma City police academy. He said Holtzclaw took his duties seriously at the academy.

State called detectives with sex crimes unit to the stand. Rocky Gregory with the Oklahoma City Police Department took the stand first.

Gregory said police found women who claim Holtzclaw touched them inappropriately and sexually assaulted some of them. He said that police checked some of Holtzclaw's calls and they matched up to being middle-aged black women and some with a drug history.

A witness, who does not want to be identified, testified that he was sleeping at his girlfriend's house when officer Holtzclaw came into the house and woke him up. 

"Yeah, it surprised me," said the witness. "It was scary!"

The witness said no one called the police, and the doors were locked. He also said Holtzclaw asked him to come outside.

Detective Kim Davis with the Sex Crimes Division testified about a woman who said officer Holtzclaw stopped her while walking down the street in northeast Oklahoma City. She said, according to police records, he had made contact with her three weeks earlier. Davis also testified the woman said Holtzclaw ran her for warrants, asked her about drugs and prostitution and then grabbed her breasts.

Davis also testified about another woman police located who said Officer Holtzclaw entered her home, took a tour, told her to sit down, forced her to perform oral sex and then raped her. Davis testified the woman said she was on probation, she was a drug addict, and that he was the police and was afraid. Davis says the woman claimed Holtzclaw unzipped his pants and told her, "This is better than county," alluding to her performing the act instead of him arresting her and taking her to jail.

The judge ruled to lower the bond to $500,000 for Officer Holtzclaw. He will be put under house arrest at his father's home in Enid and can only travel to and from his lawyer's office in downtown Oklahoma City. Holtzclaw will have a GPS monitor and have to surrender is badge, gun and police uniform.

The judge said he had to apply the law, so bail is not used as a tool of punishment.