PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 30, 2022 – District Attorney Larry Krasner the arrest by the District Attorney’s Office of former Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick Heron (DOB: 10/12/1969) for a slew of offenses related to unlawful sexual contact with young girls, photography depicting sex acts with young girls, and retaliation and harassment against victims and witnesses.
Following a months-long investigation by DA Detectives and prosecutors, Heron was arrested on Wednesday and is being held on $2 million bail. He retired from the Philadelphia Police Department in 2019. The DAO Special Investigations Unit, which investigates and prosecutes official misconduct and crimes committed by public officials, continues to actively investigate the incidents for which he has been charged and other potential incidents that could lead to additional arrests and criminal charges.
“There are few crimes more corrosive to public safety and community trust in institutions than witness intimidation, harassment, and retaliation. The allegations against former Officer Patrick Heron are among the most alarming, sensitive, and serious that detectives and prosecutors in my administration have investigated,” DA Krasner said. “Due to several specific aspects of this complex investigation, we are limited in the details we can release at this time. I urge anyone with additional information about this defendant’s alleged misconduct — especially young girls or women who may have been fearful in the past to come forward — to contact our Special Investigations Unit directly. Our prosecutors, Victim/Witness Services Unit coordinators, and detectives will do everything within our authority to make sure you are safe and protected in coming forward with information and, if necessary, testifying in a court of law.”
Victims, witnesses, and members of the public with information about former officer Patrick Heron that could lead to additional arrests or charges are urged to contact the DAO Special Investigations Unit at DAO_SIU@phila.gov or 215–686–9608. Survivors of sexual assault are also urged to seek services and support by contacting the 24-hour hotline of WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence: 215-985-3333.
Heron is charged with Unlawful Contact With Minors (Sexual Offenses), Photograph/Film/Depict on Computer Sex Act (With Child), Indecent Assault of Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Forgery, Retaliation Against Witness or Victim, Stalking, Harassment, and related offenses.
Following execution of several search warrants, DA Detectives recovered from accounts and devices associated with the defendant electronic messages of a sexual nature with girls, electronic messages of a menacing and threatening nature with witnesses, and attempts to fabricate criminal allegations against witnesses and to hack into their social media accounts. Nude and non-consensual photographs of teenage or younger girls were also recovered by detectives.
Due to the sensitive nature of the crimes alleged involving young victims, members of the media are urged to report responsibly about this defendant and members of his family, which could be used to identify victims and witnesses involved in this prosecution. As in all criminal matters, this defendant is innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
