'Hero' cop rape charges bring massive $60 million bail

Former Philadelphia police officer Richard DeCoatsworth, 27, is being held on $60 million bail after allegedly raping two women at gunpoint and assaulting another.

DeCoatsworth, was once hailed as a hero, receiving an invitation to President Obama's first congressional address in 2009, where he was seated next to First Lady Michelle Obama. DeCoatsworth had been shot in the face, but managed to chase the suspect and radio in information that lead to the man's apprehension.

DeCoatsworth allegedly met a woman at a Philadelphia bar about two weeks ago, then forced her into prostitution at a nearby Days Inn. Last week, DeCoatsworth forced that woman and a second woman, both in their 20s, to use drugs and perform oral sex on him at gunpoint, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia.

Police raided DeCoatsworth’s house and reportedly confiscated drugs and guns from the home.

According to court documents, bail was set at $25 million for each of the alleged victims. Another $10 million bail was set in a separate domestic violence case, in which police say he assaulted his live-in girlfriend on May 9.

The $60 million bail is reportedly one of the highest set in Philadelphia history. DeCoatsworth faces more than 32 charges in all three cases, including rape, sexual assault and making terroristic threats.

After the 2007 incident, he was also honored by his peers as a Top Cop in 2008. In April of 2009, DeCoatsworth was involved in a shooting when police say he was jumped and attacked by a man while dispersing a crowd. During the struggle, sources say DeCoatsworth’s gun went off and hit the suspect who ran. Another officer responding to the scene shot the suspect dead, according to sources.

In September of 2009 DeCoatsworth and another officer stopped a man on a motorcycle. When another man got on the motorcycle, the officers opened fire. Local witnesses claimed the two suspects did nothing wrong and that DeCoatsworth and the other officer acted recklessly, shooting while children were nearby.

In November of 2011, Internal Affairs investigated an alleged scuffle between DeCoatsworth and another officer. DeCoatsworth reportedly had nine citizen complaints accusing him of assault, abuse and misconduct. DeCoatsworth retired from the Philadelphia Police force on disability in December of 2011.