Disgraced Philadelphia Detective Philip Nordo Sentenced To Decades For Sexually Assaulting Suspects And Witnesses

Philip Nordo, 56, a Philadelphia homicide detective will spend decades behind bars, after being convicted of sexual assault. On Friday Nordo was sentenced to 24.5 to 49 years in prison.

Nordo showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down. His attorney says he is not guilty.

“It’s a stiff sentence but the judge has his discretion,” said defense attorney Michael Van Der Veen.

Nordo was convicted in June of sexually assaulting multiple male suspects and witnesses.

“This is a terrible abuse of power and this is a terrible abuse of position to coerce and victimize other people,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner.

In 2017 Nordo was fired from the police department and charged in 2019.

Krasner pointed out how the ball was dropped, with former leadership within the D.A.’s office. They had compelling evidence against Nordo 17 years ago and chose not to prosecute him.

“In 2005 they looked the other way, and the consequence of looking the other way was not only the elevation of detective Nordo to a position where he had more leverage to engage in his coercive crimes, but it also meant doing one homicide case after another with a corrupt witness,” said Krasner.

Since then, the D.A.’s Office of Conviction Integrity has identified 108 cases that need investigation.