Ex-Philly cop convicted of 4 sex crimes

Tyrone Wiggins, a former city cop who survived being shot while on duty and won numerous awards during a 23-year career, was taken into custody this afternoon after being convicted of sexually assaulting a girl over more than eight years.

Wiggins, 51, resigned from the force the day before he was arrested in November 2009. His face showed no expression this afternoon when the Common Pleas Court jury foreman announced that Wiggins was guilty of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault and corruption of a minor. The jury found the married father of four not guilty of rape.

Judge Sandy L.V. Byrd set March 25 as Wiggins' sentencing date. He could face a maximum sentence of 22 to 45 years in prison, said Assistant District Attorney Mark Cipolletti, who prosecuted the case.

Wiggins' victim, now a 25-year-old city cop, testified that she met Wiggins at age 10 when she began taking karate lessons from him at the Olney Recreation Center.

She told the jury that Wiggins, an 8th-degree black belt, began raping her at age 12.

"Anyone that is a potential victim out there, come forward. There is hope and there is someone who will believe you," the woman said shortly after the verdict was read.