NYPD cop, 27, is charged for soliciting explicit photos and videos from minors on Twitter, with investigators alleged he communicated with 46 children aged as young as 13
A NYPD cop has been charged with trying to solicit explicit images and videos from underage girls.
Officer Carmine Simpson, 27, was arrested at his home in Long Island on Thursday morning before being taken into custody.
He has been charged with the sexual exploitation of children and now faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years' imprisonment if convicted.
According to charging documents, Simpson - who has worked at NYPD's 75th Precinct in Brooklyn since 2018 - is accused of communicating with 46 children online between April and December 2020. The minors were allegedly aged between 13 and 17.
Simpson obtained at least 18 photographic images and 33 videos containing child exploitative material from minors, according to investigators.
During his communications with the teens, Simpson allegedly pretended that he was a teenager himself, stating that he was 17 years of age.
Officer Carmine Simpson, 27, was arrested at his home in Long Island before being taken into custody on Thursday morning
Between September 7 and September 30 2020, investigators allege the officer communicated with a female who was 'approximately 13 years old'.
He allegedly sent the girl flirtatious messages such as 'Babygirl! You are ADORABLE' and 'you're cute to look at.'
The conversation later escalated, before he asked: 'So turns out imma be home alone for a bit. If you wanna have like FaceTime sex or something???'
The girl allegedly declined but charging documents state that she later sent an explicit video of herself with a hair brush.
Meanwhile, Simpson is allegedly said to have obtained explicit images and videos from another girl believed to be 15 years old.
Charging documents state that 'during conversations, Simpson asked the girl to write various words and phrases on her body, and specifically under her belly button, including 'wh***', 'useless' and 'pig'.
According to charging documents, Simpson - who has worked at NYPD's 75th Precinct in Brooklyn since 2018 - is accused of communicating with 46 children on the internet between April and December 2020. The children were allegedly aged between 13 and 17
During a 'highly sexual conversation' the cop is also said to have also sent her a series of explicit instructions and asked her to photograph the results.
Simpson additionally stands accused of obtaining two X-rated videos from a transgender male aged 13.
The videos came following an explicit conversation, where the officer allegedly asked the child to write explicit words on themselves.
Simpson is currently in custody and is set to have his first court appearance on Thursday evening. He has been suspended from the NYPD without pay.
Acting US Attorney Seth DuCharme released a statement Thursday afternoon which read: ' Instead of protecting the community as a sworn police officer, the defendant has preyed upon and sexually exploited the most vulnerable members.
'The protection of innocent children is a priority for the Department of Justice and this Office will continue to make every effort to ensure that those who contribute to the victimization of children will be brought to justice.'
Simpson has worked at NYPD's 75th Precinct in Brooklyn since 2018. He has been suspended without pay