Law enforcement officers charged with child exploitation offenses

Reference TimelineLast updated MAY 14
SUMMARY

NYPD officer Carmine Simpson was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children on April 26, 2026, for allegedly targeting children on Twitter to obtain sexually exploitative material. As of May 8, 2026, the Department of Justice has highlighted several recent child exploitation cases on Long Island, including charges against Simpson, Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco for attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and former Suffolk County Police Officer Sean Mahony for child sex abuse. Sacco, who was suspended without pay on January 27, 2026, allegedly communicated with an undercover officer posing as the father of a 10-year-old girl, expressing sexual interest and discussing abuse plans. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli condemned Sacco's alleged actions, stating they violated his sworn duty as a law enforcement member.

Timeline

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May 2026 — 1 developments

  1. The Department of Justice has highlighted several recent child exploitation cases on Long Island.

    The Department of Justice has highlighted several recent child exploitation cases on Long Island. These include charges against a Nassau County police detective for attempted sexual exploitation of a child, a Suffolk County police officer for child sex abuse, a Suffolk County corrections officer for possessing child sexual abuse material, and another man for possessing and promoting child sex abuse material. These cases underscore ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation.

April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. NYPD officer Carmine Simpson has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children.

    NYPD officer Carmine Simpson has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children. Authorities allege Simpson targeted children on Twitter with the intent of obtaining sexually exploitative material. The investigation into his alleged activities is continuing.

  2. Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco allegedly communicated with an undercover officer posing…

    Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco allegedly communicated with an undercover officer posing as the father of a 10-year-old girl, expressing sexual interest, discussing abuse plans, sending explicit images, and participating in a video call to witness explicit conduct. Separately, former Suffolk County Police Officer Sean Mahony was arrested in December 2024 and charged with child sex abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

February 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Huntington-based police detective Robert Sacco has been arrested by the U.

    Huntington-based police detective Robert Sacco has been arrested by the U.S. Department of Justice for sexual exploitation of a child. Sacco allegedly began contacting an undercover law enforcement officer online in October 2025, expressing sexual attraction to children and discussing meeting them.

January 2026 — 7 developments

  1. Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco has been suspended without pay following his arrest and charges for attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

    Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco has been suspended without pay following his arrest and charges for attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

  3. News reports indicate Sacco is being held and will be transferred upstate for arraignment.

    News reports indicate Sacco is being held and will be transferred upstate for arraignment. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

  4. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli issued a statement condemning Sacco's alleged actions, highlighting the violation of his sworn duty as a law enforcement member.

    FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli issued a statement condemning Sacco's alleged actions, highlighting the violation of his sworn duty as a law enforcement member.

  5. A criminal complaint was filed in Albany federal court detailing the allegations against Sacco, incl…

    A criminal complaint was filed in Albany federal court detailing the allegations against Sacco, including his attempts to coerce the undercover agent into performing sex acts with the 'child'.

  6. Robert Sacco attempted to arrange a video call with the undercover agent, intending to watch the 'father' sexually abuse the 'child'.

    Robert Sacco attempted to arrange a video call with the undercover agent, intending to watch the 'father' sexually abuse the 'child'. The agent informed Sacco that the 'child' would not come out of her room, leading Sacco to suggest postponing the video call.

  7. NYPD officer Steven Marksberry pleaded guilty in April 2025 to 119 counts of child pornography offenses.

    NYPD officer Steven Marksberry pleaded guilty in April 2025 to 119 counts of child pornography offenses. In January 2025, Suffolk County Police Officer Sean Mahony was arrested and charged with child sex abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. Additionally, Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco was arrested in January 2026 and charged with attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

October 2025 — 1 developments

  1. An undercover investigation by a Colonie police detective, assigned to an FBI task force, began.

    An undercover investigation by a Colonie police detective, assigned to an FBI task force, began. The detective posed as the father of a 10-year-old girl and initiated online correspondence with Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco, discussing nudism and a mutual sexual interest in children.