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Daniel Holtzclaw’s Background

Daniel Holtzclaw was born in Guam in 1986. As he grew older, he and his family made their way to Oklahoma. Holtzclaw was an elite linebacker in high school and played collegiately at Eastern Michigan University. After college, he followed in his father’s footsteps and got into law enforcement.

His time in law enforcement was short-lived, as in June 2014, 57-year-old Jannie Ligons came forward saying that Holtzclaw stopped her at around 2 am on June 18th and forced her to perform a sex act on him, along with other inappropriate behavior.

When Holtzclaw came in for his next shift at 4 pm, he was taken in for questioning. During a two-hour interrogation, he denied any wrongdoing. They took his DNA, and although they did not arrest him, they took his guns, badges, and other items and placed him on leave.

As the investigation progressed, they found many other victims. All of them were African American, and many of them lived in low-income neighborhoods and had arrest records.

After two months of investigation, Holtzclaw was arrested and charged with 16 sexual offenses, including stalking and procuring lewd exhibition. As more time passed, 20 more charges were added.

He was fired from the force in January 2015.

Legal Proceedings

Holtzclaw pleaded not guilty and went to trial in November 2015. Several women took the stand against him, and their testimony was damning.

On top of that, the prosecution had some DNA from a woman that was near the zipper of Holtzclaw’s trousers. Holtzclaw’s defense said the DNA was transferred DNA, and it didn’t prove he had inappropriate contact with that woman.

Holtzclaw did not take the stand in his own defense. The only witness called on his behalf was an ex-girlfriend who testified she never saw him aggressive or sexually inappropriate.

The all-white jury handed down its verdict on December 10th, 2015, and the ex-officer did not take the news well. Holtzclaw was convicted of 18 of the 36 charges and broke down in tears while proclaiming his innocence.

He was sentenced to 263 years in prison. Many of the sentences are set to run consecutively, and he is expected to be in prison for life.

Appeals and Parole Denial

He has maintained his innocence, and the credibility of some of the victims has come into question over the years. However, that hasn’t helped him as his appeals have been denied.

He was denied parole on one of the 18 charges in February 2022, and he remains locked up.

Because he is an ex-officer and high-profile inmate, he is being held in an undisclosed prison under an alias.