NYPD officer charged in connection with sexting a 14-year-old girl faces additional charges in Queens.

An officer of the New York Police Department (NYPD) has been charged with a range of offenses after allegedly engaging in sexually explicit communications with someone he believed to be a minor, who was in fact an undercover officer. Melinda Katz, the District Attorney for Queens, announced the new charges on Friday, highlighting the severity of the allegations against Officer Travis Desouza.

At 35 years old, Desouza was assigned to the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn in 2024 and was responsible for overseeing the NYPD’s Police Explorers youth program, which serves young people aged 14 to 20 interested in law enforcement careers. His arrest occurred last October, following an investigation initiated by the authorities to assess his conduct. Desouza was initially charged in Brooklyn Criminal Court with attempted dissemination of indecent materials to minors and attempted endangerment of a child.

The recent developments indicate a further escalation in the case, as additional charges have emerged in Queens, where the alleged incidents took place. According to District Attorney Katz, the undercover officer was in a police facility when she received explicit messages from Desouza. The new charges include attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors, official misconduct, obscenity, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.

Katz emphasized the importance of trust in the youth program, stating that the NYPD Explorers aims to instill confidence among young participants. She expressed concern over Desouza’s actions, which represented a serious breach of trust given his position within the organization. Although Desouza was made aware that he was communicating with someone posing as a 14-year-old girl, he allegedly continued to send sexually explicit content.

The investigation began when authorities decided to deploy a young-looking undercover officer to approach Desouza after concerns were raised about his interactions with minors. Identifying herself as a potential member of the Police Explorers, the undercover officer began corresponding with Desouza, which ultimately led to the exchange of explicit messages through the social media platform Snapchat. Reports indicate that Desouza sent a photo of himself inappropriately dressed, underscoring the serious nature of his alleged misconduct.

In light of these allegations, Desouza has been suspended without pay. The implications of this case extend beyond the individual officer, raising questions about the integrity and oversight of programs designed to engage youth in law enforcement activities. As the case continues to unfold, it remains a critical moment for the NYPD and community trust.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility held by law enforcement officials to uphold the safety and welfare of the communities they serve, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers. Media News Source will continue to monitor the developments in this case as they arise.