Daniel Holtzclaw

In this Sept. 2, 2012 file photo, provided by the Oklahoma Police Dept., Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw stands next to his vehicle. Holtzclaw, 27, who was a star football player in high school and college, is accused of sexually assaulting at least six women during traffic stops and investigators are looking into whether there are more victims. (AP Photo/Oklahoma Police Dept., File)

(AP)

In less than a week, the family of Daniel Holtzclaw – the Oklahoma City police officer accused of sexually assaulting at least eight black women over a five-month period –raised nearly $7,500 in donations from nearly 40 people through the crowdfunding website GoFundMe.

The family's goal was to raise $100,000 on the site for Holtzclaw's defense and legal fees, but they won't reach that goal.

According to GoFundMe site administrators, the page was deactivated Tuesday, Sept. 2, after receiving an unspecified number of complaints from the public.

"In the event that a campaign receives a high volume of complaints, GoFundMe will conduct an internal content review to determine the most appropriate course of action," a GoFundMe representative said in an email to The Ann Arbor News.

"Given the sheer volume of campaigns, each review is handled on a case-by-case basis. In this particular case, GoFundMe determined that the fundraising campaign titled 'Justice for Daniel Holtzclaw' will be removed from the site."

Daniel Holtzclaw is featured in an Ann Arbor News file photo from 2007.

Jenny Holtzclaw, Daniel's sister, started the GoFundMe page, as well as Twitter and Facebook pages also calling for justice for her brother.

On the Facebook page, Jenny Holtzclaw posted in disbelief about the page being shut down.

"Yesterday we were informed, without explanation or advanced warning, that GoFundMe, the web-based campaign fundraising site, has dropped us from their business," the post read.

"Rest assured that the money that has been collected for Daniel's defense is secure and we are currently exploring other options to use in order to aid in Daniel's legal fees and bail. As soon as we have secured another business or organization (that) will sponsor us, we will let you know."

The Enid, Oklahoma native and former standout Eastern Michigan University football player was charged with several counts of first-degree rape, forcible oral sodomy, sexual battery, indecent exposure, first-degree rape by instrumentation, first-degree burglary and felonious stalking.

Daniel Holtzclaw was arrested on Aug. 21 after a nearly two-month suspension, during which time sex crime detectives investigated allegations of his misconduct. He is being held in the Oklahoma County jail on $5 million bond, and if convicted, could face life in prison without the chance for parole.

Holtzclaw's lawyer Scott Adams released a statement on behalf of his client, denying the charges after his formal arraignment Friday, Aug. 29.

"He has been informed of the charges and vehemently denies each and every one. Daniel asks that everyone remain strong during this difficult time. We ask for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers," Adams wrote in an email to The Ann Arbor News.