A former Philadelphia police officer who retired just before he was charged with repeatedly raping a girl starting when she was 12 will face trial, a judge ruled Thursday.
Tyrone Wiggins, 50, was arrested in November, a day after he retired following a two-year police investigation into the case.
During a hearing in Municipal Court, Judge Alfred J. DiBona ordered Wiggins held for trial on rape, statutory rape, and other charges.
The victim testified that the assaults had continued for eight years. She described a "series of horrible acts" by "someone who abused his position over years," Assistant District Attorney Mark Cipolletti said.
At the time of his arrest, Wiggins was teaching martial-arts classes at the Olney Recreation Center. The city Recreation Department did not know of his arrest until media reports a month later.
Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey said there had been no deal to allow Wiggins to retire with his pension.
The victim has told police that Wiggins befriended her and her family when she started attending his karate class when she was 10.
Two years later, according to court records, Wiggins drove her to Fairmount Park in his van and exposed himself to her. A week later, he again took her to the park in his van and sexually assaulted her, the records said.
Over eight years, Wiggins sexually and physically assault the girl in his van, at his home, and elsewhere, the records said.
Internal Affairs first interviewed the victim in August 2007.
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