Law enforcement officers charged with child exploitation offenses

Developing StoryLast updated MAY 8
SUMMARY

On April 26, 2026, NYPD officer Carmine Simpson was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children, allegedly targeting children on Twitter for 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 Nassau County Police Detective Robert Sacco for attempted sexual exploitation of a child, a Suffolk County police officer for child sex abuse, and a Suffolk County corrections officer for possessing child sexual abuse material. Detective Sacco, who was suspended without pay on January 27, 2026, faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted, following a criminal complaint filed on January 25, 2026, detailing his alleged attempts to coerce an undercover agent into performing sex acts with a 'child'.

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 — 6 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.

  2. Federal investigators have argued that Nassau County police detective Robert Sacco should be detained as a flight risk and a "danger to the community" following his arrest.

    Federal investigators have argued that Nassau County police detective Robert Sacco should be detained as a flight risk and a "danger to the community" following his arrest.

  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.

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.