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Former Cop Gets Long Sentence For Sexually Abusing Young Woman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A military veteran, karate instructor and a "self-described" legend in the Philadelphia police department has been sentenced to up to 35 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting one of his young martial arts students for most of a decade.

The victim, now 26-years-old, says Tyrone Wiggins started grooming her at age ten then, she says, this monster, this disgrace to the badge, started molesting her when she was 12 years old. He stole her innocence and youth.

Prosecutor Mark Cipolletti describes the crime. "This went on for eight years from the time the sex began when she was 12 or 13 years old and lasted until she was 20."

The mental abuse went on just as long. And the physical abuse for at least half of that. She spent most of her childhood, essentially what is a childhood, becoming his sex slave, doing what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it, giving in to his every whim and desire and not spending time with her family or friends because she was afraid to and he wouldn't let her (see related story).

Wiggins, who has maintained his innocence, is expected to appeal while now serving a 17 ½ to 35 year sentence.

Reported By Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio.

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