An Oklahoma City police officer accused of sexually assaulting women while on duty was released on a $500,000 bond Friday.
Daniel Holtzclaw is charged with 16 felony counts that include first-degree rape, sexual battery, indecent exposure, stalking, forcible oral sodomy and burglary. His bond was reduced from $5 million to $500,000 after his attorney Scott Adams persuaded the judge to do so, according to court records, reports Reuters.
Last week, the judge had denied the appeal to reduce the bond saying that Holtzclaw was a threat to the public.
The 27-year-old officer was arrested last month after a complaint was filed against him for sexually assaulting women aged between 34 and 58. Most of the victims were black, and the assaults happened during his 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. shifts.
"Family and friends rallied and posted his bond this (Friday) morning," said Adams. "He's getting ready to go back to Enid," he added, reports the Associated Press.
"I just hope he follows the conditions the judge set forth," said Prosecutor Gayland Gieger, who argued against the bond reduction. The judge ordered that Holtzclaw will remain under house arrest until trial and he will have to return his police uniform, gun and badge. He would be only allowed to leave his parents' home in Enid to go to court and his attorney's office, reports the New York Daily News.
According to the police, some of the suspected assaults took place as a result of traffic stops. Holtzclaw threatened women that if they did not comply he would arrest or physically harm them.
