Disgraced Former Hero Cop DeCoatsworth Awaits Sentencing
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Once hailed as a hero, a disgraced Philadelphia cop will learn his fate today, as it's sentencing for former police officer Richard DeCoatsworth.
DeCoatsworth, 28, pleaded guilty late last month to promoting prostitution, simple assault and a drug charge. Under the open plea, more than 20 other charges were dropped, those dropped charges included rape and aggravated assault.
DeCoatsworth was arrested last year on charges he forced two women at gunpoint to do drugs and perform sex acts.
In 2007, then a rookie cop in Philadelphia, DeCoatsworth was shot in the face during a car stop, but continued to chase the man who shot him. He became nationally known, even sitting next to Michelle Obama at the President's State of the Union address in 2009.
But his career went into a nosedive, as he was named in several citizen complaints, involved in police involved shootings, and an off-duty scuffle with another officer before he resigned in 2011.
DeCoatsworth could face up to 7-to-14 years in prison.