BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn NYPD officer is accused of multiple felony sex crimes involving a child after being arrested off duty earlier this week, police said.
Joshua Acosta, 39, who was assigned to the department’s Legal Bureau, was taken into custody around 8 p.m. on July 8 in southern Brooklyn’s 61st Precinct. The NYPD said the officer has been suspended without pay.
Prosecutors say the case includes rape, sexual misconduct and child sex conduct charges
Acosta is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual misconduct, two counts of course of sexual conduct against a child and one count of acting in a manner injurious to a child.
Officials did not provide further information about the allegations, including the age of the alleged victim or when the reported incidents are said to have taken place.
Internal NYPD records show a long career across several precincts
Public employment records show Acosta joined the NYPD in January 2014. Before moving to the Legal Bureau in April 2024, he had worked in the 79th Precinct and the 7th Precinct.
Those records also show he earned about $154,000 in 2025.
Civilian complaints and discipline predate the arrest
CCRB records show Acosta had four substantiated civilian complaints from 2019, including allegations involving authority abuse tied to entry of premises, a frisk, a search and threats of force. One case led to formalized training, while another ended without a disciplinary penalty despite the finding being upheld.
Department records also show he was found guilty in separate internal cases for failing to turn on his body-worn camera, taking part in an improper vehicle pursuit and failing to conduct an investigation. The listed penalties included 13 vacation days and 12 pre-trial suspension days.
City records show prior lawsuits ended in settlements
Court records further show Acosta was named in two civil cases against the city that were later settled for a combined $657,000. The settlements were not admissions of liability.
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