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NYPD officer charged with rape of a minor after internal affairs investigation
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 9, 2026
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Mindaugas Dulinskas/Getty Images
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jul 9, 2026
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An NYPD officer has been charged with rape and sexual misconduct against a child after an investigation by the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, police said.
Officer Joshua Acosta, 39, was arrested in south Brooklyn while off duty Wednesday night, according to NYPD officials. NYPD spokesperson Brad Weekes said the case had been referred to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. He said Acosta has been suspended without pay following his arrest.
Police said they could not immediately share further details on what happened and who was involved since the investigation was initiated by the department. They said the charges are related to behavior going back to 2021 that happened while Acosta was off duty.
Acosta is facing three counts of rape, three counts of sexual misconduct and two counts of course of sexual conduct against a child, which means the crimes are alleged to have occurred over a period longer than three months. He is also charged with one count of acting in a manner injurious to a child. Five of the counts are felonies.
Officials described the crimes as domestic in nature.
Information for Acosta’s lawyer was not yet available by midday Thursday as he awaited arraignment in Brooklyn criminal court.
Police Benevolent Association spokesperson John Nuthall said the union is not providing Acosta with a lawyer for the case.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
Officer Arrested
brooklyn
internal affairs bureau
nypd
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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