Former Detroit Lions footballer turned Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw was arrested for sexually abusing eight Black women in August. What comes as a shock to many is that Holtzclaw has supporters online who have donated over $7,000 for his defense.
The 27-year-old cop is facing charges of rape, forcible oral sodomy, sexual battery, and indecent exposure for allegedly assaulting women he encountered while on duty. According to prosecutors, Holtzclaw often stopped Black women between the ages of 34 and 58, threatening to “arrest them or physically harm them unless they exposed themselves, allowed him to fondle them or [have] sex with him,” according to reports.
Holtzclaw has served with the Oklahoma City Police Department for three years, but is now being held on $5 million bond, as family and friends have created a Facebook page called “Justice for Daniel Holtzclaw,” as well as a GoFundMe campaign, in the hopes of raising $100,000 to assist with legal costs. So far the site has received $7,390 in donations.